Jean Carn – Higher Ground (1976/2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 47:30 minutes | 859 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Ovation Records
I don’t have love for genre labels, but they label this spirit jazz, so I love spirit jazz.
On Higher Ground, Doug and Jean Karn apply fantastic vocals to jazz that flies like be-bop, has the openness of modes, and uses a nice balance of electric and acoustic instruments. Bass and some piano provide a lot of the backbone, but an funk organ solo chimes into the middle of the title track.
There are unique juxtapositions of 60s and 70s, old and new, organic and synthetic. If you can picture Miles’ 60s band playing some of his 70s interludes, you’re getting warm, Listen to the spacey keyboards on the cover of Coltrane’s “Niama.”
Maybe they call this stuff Spirit Jazz due to its mainly angelic nuance–the music swings hard, but maintains a lightness, never overpowering the strong but gentle female vocals. The tracks are airy, but have tons of substance.
Tracklist:
1-1. Jean Carn – Western Sunrise (05:04)
1-2. Jean Carn – The Messenger (04:09)
1-3. Jean Carn – Revelation (03:45)
1-4. Jean Carn – Infant Eyes (10:00)
1-5. Jean Carn – Higher Ground (05:06)
1-6. Jean Carn – Naima (04:30)
1-7. Jean Carn – Little B’s Poem (03:48)
1-8. Jean Carn – Blue and Green (05:18)
1-9. Jean Carn – Mighty Mighty (05:48)
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