Monday, November 28, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 11-28-11

Back from vacation, and ready to start reviewing again!  Stay tuned--as they say--for new additions to the library, coming soon!

***IMPORTANT*** KRZA will soon be REPLACING PAPER PLAYLISTS with an online service called Spinitron.  That's right--no more slacking on record labels; Spinitron won't let you submit an entry without a label :-).  The KRZA staff will give you an official training session when everything is set up. Be on the lookout for some changes in the studio when this happens, including a missing turntable, a laptop computer, and NO MORE PAPER PLAYLISTS!

On the fun side, KRZA invites all DJs to bring in a Christmas ornament to add to our studio Christmas tree, which is lighted but at this point otherwise unadorned.  If you bring in an ornament, make sure to put your name and phone number on the ornament somewhere so that we can return it to you when the tree comes down next year.  Help make the studio look a little festive this season...hey, it may even help out with the lighting!

Okay, I think that's it for now.  Until next time...

Monday, November 21, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 11-21-11

Hello again!

Three noteworthy additions this week:

1. Oscar Peterson "Unmistakable":  Oh, my...this is the single-malt scotch of jazz piano, right up there with Art Tatum.  Yummy, yummy, yummy!

Many thanks to the lovely chap who drives the old Volvo P1800s around town for the following additions to the KRZA music library (although they're not "new releases" per se):

2. Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim.   For lovers of Brazilian jazz, these names need no introduction, of course.  They are joined by the silken vocals of Astrud Gilberto.  Oh, my...

3. A tasty addition to the Latin library: Los Super Seven, a Tex-Mex ensemble extraordinaire.  This is top-drawer stuff.

(Did I mention that the Volvo P1800 is one of my favorite classic cars?  :-)

I am taking advantage of the absence of rehearsals and will be on vacation for the remainder of this week.  See y'all Monday, and have a great Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 11-14-11

Greetings, all!

We have five new additions to the KRZA library this week:

Ray Charles, who needs no introduction, is back in new compilation, "The Complete ABC Singles", which includes the superlative "Georgia On My Mind".  Oh, yeah.

Jane's Addiction's new album, The Great Escape Artist is now part of our library; fans of hard/alternative rock take note!

Illuminati Congo brings together the sounds of reggae, hip-hop, and African groove in "All Eye See".  This is good stuff!

If anyone happened to be listening in on Monday Morning November 14th, they would have heard Harper interview Patrick Dethlefs and Eye and the Arrow in the studio, and we are now proud owners of their CDs.  Check 'em out in the Folk Rock section (yellow spine tape).

I want to STRONGLY encourage all DJs to play songs from at least three New Release albums during their shows.  We want to encourage the music promoters to keep sending us free music.  Free music is good.  We like free music!  It's easy; just turn your chairs around and look at the wall behind you.  Deal?

Until next time...

Monday, November 7, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 11-7-11

Greetings, everyone!

It's close to quittin' time, so without further ado, here's the latest and greatest:

World Music aficionados, give Adanowsky a listen.  He's a multi-lingual, multi-cultural performer of world pop music, much beloved in Mexican Indie rock circles.  Not all world music needs to be played on congas by people in tribal dress!

Jazzers, definitely check out Christian McBride's "Conversations with Christian" album.  This superlative jazz bass player has put together a great album of jazz.  The style of each number depends on who he's conversing with.  Also, the newest crop of Christmas jazz is beginning to come down the pipelines for you to think about for the holidays.  Check out the gentle arrangements by pianist Geri Allen.

For something different, Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser have been making tsunamis on YouTube, and we are proud to offer their album 2Cellos here at KRZA.  Michael Jackson on cello?  Don't diss it until you try it!

Finally, Latin DJs, Corina Bartra's "Cielo Sandunguero" features her wonderful voice and passionate singing with a big ensemble.

Thanks, all, and until next time...