Wow... Just, WOW! How's this for an improvised album?

[Kwesi]

I honestly, have no words so just check out the album description:

"This album is comprised of 9 songs all entirely improvised on the piano. Layers were then added after the fact to the improvised recordings. Because they are improvised, these songs come from pure emotion. A variety of feelings are represented and are intended to take the listener on a journey. So close your eyes and let the stories unfold."

Free Play | Shnabubula

And here's the artist himself at work:

Shnabubula - Electro Spunk (Free Play) - YouTube

I've played with this guy live and it's hard not to be distracted by how talented he is. Just being on the same stage brought the biggest, stupidest smile on my face. I almost couldn't believe that this was improvised but having seen him work, I believe it. His approach to music is just different from a lot of folks. Music just comes to him. He'll sit down and play an entire song completely off the cuff and someone'll ask "What was that?" and he'll say that he just made it up. I'll stop gushing now, but seriously, give Shnabubula a listen .

[J. Crawford]

Yikes, the dude can play. The camera work on the YT video is sketchy, though.

[Barkless Dog]

Excellent, thank you !

Can never have too much great music

[pablomigraine]

It's guys like this who earn my deepest respect and, if I'm honest, a pinch of bittersweet jealousy. See, I'm a pretty good bass player... I can play just about anything. As long as I know what key the song is in or the chord changes and can hear the drummer well.... I can hang out and get the job done reasonably well just about anywhere.... but I could never WRITE some of the music I play.... I could never improvise music in this fashion. Show me a piece of music, no matter what it is.... give me a day and I can play it as well as anyone.... but I could never CREATE that music.... eh well.

[ACalbass]

Keith Jarrett was doing this in 1973,recording his solo improvisations (even LIVE !!!,a complete concert nor people or Jarret knew what was going to be played) that made him a very unique piano player.(and became the best seller solo player of any instrument,he made 10 albums like this I think)
I guess recycling 40 years old stuff make people go WOW !!!
And then we can go further back to 1949,where Lenny Tristano was the first that recorded pure improvisations.
This just prove one thing : good stuff is ALWAYS good stuff,no matter when it was done.

[D.A.R.K.]

Love this approach, have gotten to work on multiple records the same way, great work!!!

[Barkless Dog]

I guess recycling 40 years old stuff make people go WOW !!!
And then we can go further back to 1949,where Lenny Tristano was the first that recorded pure improvisations.
This just prove one thing : good stuff is ALWAYS good stuff,no matter when it was done.

I think for me the Wow factor is the excellent music & musicianship, never fails for me, regardless if its improvised, sampled or accidentental. Nothing is really new anymore.

[mikezimmerman]

I think the "wow" factor is that these improvisations came out really well, not that any of us though that no one had ever recorded completely improvised music before....

Originally Posted by ACalbass

Keith Jarrett was doing this in 1973,recording his solo improvisations (even LIVE !!!,a complete concert nor people or Jarret knew what was going to be played) that made him a very unique piano player.(and became the best seller solo player of any instrument,he made 10 albums like this I think)
I guess recycling 40 years old stuff make people go WOW !!!
And then we can go further back to 1949,where Lenny Tristano was the first that recorded pure improvisations.
This just prove one thing : good stuff is ALWAYS good stuff,no matter when it was done.

[ACalbass]

Originally Posted by mikezimmerman

I think the "wow" factor is that these improvisations came out really well, not that any of us though that no one had ever recorded completely improvised music before....

This opens the debate about what is improvisation.
It is coming from things you do not know or things you know already?
Coming from knowledge,everyone can follow,there is a foundation in everything improvised.That's how we learn.
I do not disagree, is fantastic,I have the same opinions you guys have,is very well done.

[ronaldpdbrandt]

If you're into free improv albums, check out Supersilent. Every album they do is completely improvised. Their sixth album (simply called 6) is amazing.