With another of our Brazilian Carnival specials lingering on the horizon, we thought it was about time we caught up with this week’s special guest DJ Adrian Leach and get him to take us through a few choice cuts in his record collection ahead of his set this Sunday. When it comes to jazz, Latin and Brazilian music, Adrian’s pedigree is second to none, having amassed an enviable catalogue of tunes tracked down over many a year. For anyone who already listens to his much celebrated Happy Jazz radio show, which he co-hosts alongside long time cohort Mark Taylor (also coming to a Jazz Meet near you in March!), you can attest that he brings the heat on a regular basis, so we are obviously excited that he’s finally able to join us at the Meet, on this, our third time of asking!
Adrian caught the record collecting bug at the tender age of 12, after frequenting the now defunct Chequers Record Shop in Lewisham, South East London and spending his hard-earned paper money on import boogie and jazz fusion tunes. As times progressed, he discovered the joys of the Latin and Brazilian music that were gradually reaching these shores and slowly infiltrating the London club scene, and after a chance meeting with Mark back in 1998, himself an expert on the Brazilian genre, Adrian hasn’t looked back. The duo launched their monthly radio show in the mid noughties bringing their deeply dug selections to the fore across a number of internet radio stations and almost a decade later, the show can still be found broadcasting periodically on Mixcloud. A fan of a ridiculous number of genres, Adrian plays out a versatile selection of styles, including *deep breath*Â jazz and jazz fusion, Latin, Brazilian, African, calypso, ska, boogie, disco, and music from the Caribbean! On Sunday, we assume he’s bringing his Brazilian box (or he hasn’t seen the flyer!) but below you’ll find him stretching out into some of his other undiscovered gems to bring us five of his current favourites. And YES, they are deep…
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Tordenskjolds Soldater – “Pharoah” & “Brother Yusef” (from the album ‘Peace’ on Spectator Records)
Danish Jazz from 1970 and their only LP on the very rare Spectator label. Has many fine tracks on the LP and with this track you can clearly see where the inspiration for the guy’s (music) comes from. A massive thank you to Mr. John Cooper for this one.
Carstern Meinert Quartet – Dansevise (from the album ‘To You’ on M.S. records)
More Danish Jazz for me on Mr. Meinerts own label on both a red and blue label from 1969 then a repress on Spectator records a year later. It’s always a joy to hear the track ‘Dansevise’. Such a lovely, flowing, waltzy feel to this Coltrane inspired tune. Great cover too. One of two LP’s- check the LP C.M. Musictrain too. Always in the box and more hat doffing to John Cooper.
Vic Lewis – Last Minute Bossa Nova (from the album ‘Vic Lewis Plays Bossa Nova at Home and Away’ on His Masters Voice)
Brit Jazz Bossa. I love this record for two reasons. Firstly, the music, an infectious bossa from 1963 that will always move the most passive of people and secondly, the cover, our Vic is stepping off a Pan Am flight looking like a second-hand car dealer with camel coat draped across his arm and he appears to be waving to someone. Not sure who but it’s a great image and one I could easily have blown up and put on my wall at home. Thanks to the wonderful Hugh Albert for this one.
Nil’s Jazz Ensemble – Reflexiones (from the album ‘Nil’s Jazz Ensemble’ on MAG records)
Aaah, I was very lucky to be offered this in the early 90s by a good friend of mine called Brian Watson. Beautiful Peruvian jazz fusion with the track ‘Reflexiones’ with a very significant opening. A mellow, swirling tune that I could play over and over. I am a big fan of the MAG label anyway and the production is so loud and clear that the brass and Fender sounds like it’s being played live in the room with you.
Santa Y Su Gente – Una Nueva Vida (from the album ‘Urgente’ on RCA label)
The whole LP is great and coming from Chile, not always easy to find. I have quite a passion for South American music and this LP and the Candeias LP (sorry, this got pipped to the post to be included), are LP’s that I can just put on the player and forget about my troubles. This epitomises the Happy Jazz radio show and the ethos behind it. A real thinker’s music.
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For a taste of Adrian’s Brazilian game, give his latest radio show a listen. We’re sure he included the Jazz Meet shout for effect, so we’ve duly obliged in spreading the word. Oh and then of course, SUBSCRIBE…
Happy Jazz Radio Show – February 2013 – Brazilian Special – Part 1 with Adrian Leach by Adrian Leach – Happy Jazz Show on Mixcloud
Join Adrian, resident Nik Weston and of course, a very special Jazz Meet Band lineup this Sunday for a little taste of Rio in East London at Floripa. We’re open from 3.30pm with an exclusive of showing of the Brazilian film classic ‘Black Orpheus‘ (bring a tissue) and then from 5pm till close, it’s Carnival Time!