music - PFT Media

The Major Scale – Josef Leimberg & Felix Cavaliere

October 3, 2018 By Chris

Josef Leimberg & the Spiritual Jazz of the Rascals with Felix Cavaliere

The meaning of jazz is taking on new dimensions in the 21st century, and Josef Leimberg is helping to lead the charge. His debut album, Astral Progressions, is rich in psychedelic soul and spacey grooves that evokes the musical memories of Prog-rock and Alice Coltrane. Leimberg cut his teeth on the west coast for years playing and performing at Project Blowed and the World Stage, not to mention producing and arranging for Neo-Soul maverick Bilal, legendary Mikah Nine, as well as Grammy and Pulitzer winner Kendrick Lamar.

Evoking the “and everything in between” part of our motto, we take a closer look at the Rascals, with the band’s driving force, Felix Cavaliere, joining us in conversation. Many don’t realize that the Rascals used several jazz titans on their records to help flesh out their the music as they developed their sound towards more soul and jazz territories. Names like Herbert Laws, Ron Carter, and Alice Coltrane lent their talents to making some of the best, if not unsung experiments in Jazz-rock and fusion – standing among bands like Blood, Sweat, and Tears and Chicago, as well as opening the doors for Steely Dan and more. Be ready to have a whole new appreciation for the Rascals!

SONG CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE:

THEME: Jazz Phantom by Chomsk’ (from the album “Different Beats” on Magentic Records).

FIRST HALF: Interstellar Universe, The Awakening, Lonely Fire(Miles Davis) and Between Us 2 by Josef Leimberg (from the album “Astral Progressions” on World/Galaxy/Alpha Pup).

Galaxy Around Olodumare (snippet) by Alice Coltrane (from the album “World Galaxy” album on Impulse Records)

SECOND HALF: Galaxy Around Olodumare (snippet) by Alice Coltrane (from the album “World Galaxy” album on Impulse Records)

Little Dove by The Rascals (from the album “Peaceful World” on Columbia Records)

Nama by The Rascals (from the album “Search and Nearness” on Atlantic Records)

Mother Nature’s Land by The Rascals (from the album “Peaceful World” on Columbia Records)

Nubia by The Rascals (from the album “See” on Atlantic Records)

Peaceful World by The Rascals (from the album “Peaceful World” on Columbia Records)

Buttercup and Time Will Tell by The Rascals (from the album “Island of Real” on Columbia Records)

The Major Scale – Sonny Rollins & Jaime Branch

September 19, 2018 By Chris

In this episode we present a very Brooklyn friendly theme. First up is Sonny Rollins, maybe the greatest living artist in America today. His impromptu performances on the Williamsburg Bridge are the stuff of legend, which is why there’s a grassroots effort to rename the bridge in his honor. We interview Amanda Petrusich, staff writer for The New Yorker, and organizer Jeff Caltabiano to talk about Caltabiano’s petition for New York City to make this name change in honor of one our best and brightest. Our second feature is on Chicago bred, trumpeter Jaimie Branch – a transplant to the borough of Brooklyn herself, and very much inspired by Don Cherry. She gave us time to talk about her debut Fly Or Die and her melodic approach to Free Jazz. Catchy, intense, beautiful.

The Major Scale – Kamasi Washington & Grace Kelly

September 12, 2018 By Chris

In this episode, we start with Kamasi Washington and the stellar trajectory his work has taken with his new album Heaven and Earth, a celestial collection of voices and cinematic instrumentation. I had the chance to talk with him about how the album came to be, his Coachella performance, the state of music, and more.

Next up is Grace Kelly, a name as great as her work. We dive into this sax prodigy’s virtuosity, her sublime composing, and her sense of the absurd. In addition to her own releases, she’s scored for both film and TV, and she’s a member of Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She’s gained a large social media following for her musical parodies of Billie Jean King to Jedi Knights, serenades to llamas, and impromptu jams in crowded city streets.

SONG CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE:

THEME: Jazz Phantom by Chomsk’ (from the album “Different Beats” on Magentic Records).

First Half: Street Fighter Mas, Space Traveller’s Lullaby, Connections, Fist Of Fury, Vi Lua Vi Sol, and Hubtones, by Kamasi Washington (from the album “Heaven And Earth” on Young Turk).

Second Half: Fish And Chips, Sax Wars, and Sound Of Redemption by Grace Kelly (from Grace Kelly Music).

Blues For Harry Bosch by Grace Kelly (from the album “Trying To Figure It Out” on Pazz Records).

He Shot A Man, By A Grave, and Lemon’s Make Lemonade w/ Jon Batiste by Grace Kelly.Continue Reading …

The Simon Time Trivia Show – #54 – The Major Scale

September 10, 2018 By Chris

In episode 54 of The Simon Time Trivia Show, Chris Crespo welcomes to the show Kyle Eagle, the host of PFT Media’s newest program, The Major Scale! And to celebrate the addition of this show to the lineup, Chris guides Kyle through three rounds of music-related trivia, so see how you stack up against our newest music expert! Enjoy!