The Album Club: "Meditations" by Yusef Lateef
 

http://www.trollheart.com/meditate.jpg

Seems like we're down to the hardcore now. Two members gone this week sadly. Next up, it's this. Debate, discuss, vote, rate and review here.

Full week no reviews

First time ever

#occult2018

From the title of the album, I thought this would probably be a mellow new-agey type of jazz recording that would most likely bore me. It turned out to be something else and I quite enjoyed it.
A minimalist mix of woodwind instruments, violin, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano and synthesizer sounds, and vocals all used in various combinations throughout the album.
It had a bit of an ominous vibe from the beginning which flowed through the entire album. I kept thinking that it would make a good soundtrack to a B&W movie based on a creepy, murder mystery or a weird sci-fi flick.
I listened to it 4 times over the last week and it held up well to repeated plays and grew on me a bit more each time. I saved a copy of it on my hard drive and will definitely return to it again for another listen or more.
I voted "Liked it" and will give it an 8.5/10

Parts of it remind me of the soundtrack to Taxi Driver.

This album is a mellow reflection on Eastern philosophical influences on jazz in the sixties. Like PF pointed out it’s not as static as one might expect.

Lateef was 70 when he created this and it shows: This music is wise and as meditative as advertised.

Really started to enjoy this from 'Meditation 3' and 4 onward, but that's partly because I'm such a Third Stream fanboy and less about the overall merits of this as a jazz recording or whatnot. Lateef was one of the greats so even if you didn't like the style it would be goofy not to respect the output. Could end up revisiting this in the future, though I think it is a bit too left-field at times to serve as meditation material as an overall experience (though I could always snip a track out here and there).

8 out of 10

Listened to this twice, and while I can appreciate the skill and inventiveness involved, I really had no desire to listen to it a third time. It just bored me. Sorry. Nothing else I can say.

6/10

I did not not give a review on purpose. I just been tough week for me.

I'm often a tough week for me. I feel you bro.

Are good weeks even still a thing?

I think if I get a good day I'm doing well. Good weeks? No. Not for a very long time now.