Ben Harris
This is a great record, highly recommended. The mix of jazz, hip hop and soul can occasionally jar, but for the most part it is beautifully put together and a joy to listen to.
This album deserves support for the concept, and deserves love and respect for the execution.
The Shape Of Jazz is the debut release by Zvi Belling aka ZEDSIX, producer, composer and bass player. The album is part of an ongoing experiment in re-shaping American and African jazz standards through hip-hop. An all star series of collaborations investigate the intersection of boom-bap and be-bop, it sounds like the future !
credits
released May 15, 2020
ZEDSIX: THE SHAPE OF JAZZ (55:26)
The Shape Of Jazz (1:21) composed by R Thorpe, Z Belling & J Clarke
What You Take (5:44)
‘Giant Steps’ composed by J Coltrane, ‘Walking On The Moon’ composed by G Sumner, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling & D Wagner
John Coltrane’s Giant Steps are ‘What You Take’ Walking on the Moon, a live beats mash-up of two classics from different epochs. Cazeaux OSLO’s ‘True To The Flesh’ reminisces about his family connection to ’Trane’ between Fem’s spacey Zero-G vocal interpretations. A live playout on these famous changes emerges from a quantised mantra to complete the tribute.
vocals: Cazeaux OSLO
vocals: Fem Belling
fender rhodes: Jason Reolon and Howard Belling
dj: J-Red
drumset: David Jones
sax: Nick Lester
programming: ZEDSIX
tracked at The Hive by ZEDSIX
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
Cazeaux OSLO tracked by Alnitak Kid
’Giant Steps’ recorded courtesy of Universal Music Publishing & ’Walking On The Moon’ recorded courtesy of EMI Music Publishing Australia
Bernie’s Joint (3:56)
‘Bernie’s Tune’ composed by G Mulligan & B Miller, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling & R Tremlett
MC Mantra conjures up late night, upbeat jazz nostalgia on this bebop standard. The track orbits around Emanuel Harrold’s jungle drum beats while his brother Keyon brings the heat with a fiery trumpet solo. It seems that Bernie, Gerry Mulligan’s infamous dealer may yet get his dues !
tracked at the Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by Myles Mumford and at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
produced and mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
’Bernie’s Tune’ recorded courtesy of Universal Music Publishing Group
Softly (2:43)
‘Softly As In A Morning Sunrise’ composed by O Hammerstein and S Romberg, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling & B Molekane
This standard is set in stark melancholy contrast to South African rap legend Tumi’s tough rhyme of resistance, power and war. The lyrics take on a sinister aspect in this setting, ‘flaming with all the glow of sunrise, a burning kiss is sealing a vow that all betray’. Fem’s voice is layered over the sample creating a harmonic connection between two styles, eras and continents. This track was dug out of the vault to celebrate a long time association with this grand master of the rap art.
vocals: Tumi Molekane
vocals: Fem Belling and Abbey Lincoln
bass: Zvi Belling
programming: ZEDSIX
produced and mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
’Softly As In A Morning Sunrise’ recorded courtesy of Native Tongue Music Publishing
My One & Only (5:57)
'My One And Only Love' composed by R Mellin & G Wood with arrangement and further composition by Z Belling & A Stephanus
The jazz ballad is an unusual rap format but Onesixth binds it together with reams of flow. Fem sings a duet with the bass for the main theme and an extended big band passage is arranged across the changes for the playout. The mood is punctuated by a triple time bridge and various turntablist pedal points that drift lightly like ‘an April breeze on the wings of spring’.
vocals: Fem Belling
vocals: Aaron ‘Onesixth’ Stephanus
dj: Prowla
saxophones: Nick Lester
trumpet: Nic Ryan-Glenie
bass: ZEDSIX
drums: Conrad Tracey & David Jones
piano: Mina Yu
programming: ZEDSIX
tracked at the Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by Zvi Belling
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
’My One And Only Love’ recorded courtesy of Warner Chappell Music Australia
Nostalgia In Time And Space featuring Solillaquists of Sound (3:54)
‘Nostalgia In Times Square’ composed by C Mingus, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling, A Sarton, A Brooks and G Valencia Jnr
This Mingus blues originally called Strollin’ continues on a well recorded journey from a Cassavetes film to this hip-hop collaboration. The Solillaquists of Sound bring their unique Florida hip-hop to this track in Alex’s dreamy vocal interpretations, DiVinci’s MPC wizardry and Swamburger’s powerful rap flow. Nic Ryan-Glenie adds the Be-Bop to the Boom-Bap with a free flowing trumpet solo. The jazz, hip hop timeline continues uninterrupted through time and space.
trumpet: Nic Ryan-Glenie
saxophone: Nick Lester
piano: John McAll
bass: ZEDSIX
drums: Ivan ‘Choi’ Khatchoyan
vocals: Alexandra Love
vocals: Swamburger
synth, keys & ableton push: DiViNCi
dj: J-Red
arrangement and programming: ZEDSIX and DiViNCi
tracked at the Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by ZEDSIX
drums tracked at Choi Productions by Ivan Khatchoyan
SoS tracked at The Solilla Manor (Orlando Florida) by SoS
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
The Solillaquists of Sound appear courtesy of Second Subject Recordings and Solilla Publishing, LLC (BMI)
’Nostalgia In Times Square’ recorded courtesy of Frankdon Music
Time For Tears (3:12)
‘Yakhal’ Inkomo’ composed by W Ngozi, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling and I Mokone
It takes courage to rework this South African jazz classic. Mankunku’s powerful theme of suffering and resistance re-emerges anew in this afro-jazz beats experience. Fem’s vocal interpretation weaves across Nick Lester’s spiritual channeling of Mankunku’s pastoral saxophone. Hugh Masekela’s voice rings proud encouraging his long time drummer Poogie Bell to return these rhythms to their African home while Tumi The Be takes us on a temporal Cape train journey back to the Retreat of 1968.
vocals: Fem Belling
alto saxophone: Nick Lester
drums: Charles ‘Poogie’ Bell
vocals: Tumi The Be
piano: Howard Belling
bass ukelele: ZEDSIX
dj: Tom Showtime
oil can guitar: Mpaphi Nfandiso
programming: ZEDSIX
tracked at Pughouse Studios by Niko Schauble and at the Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by Jem Savage and ZEDSIX
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
‘Yakhal’ Inkomo’ recorded courtesy of Gallo Music Publishers administered by Hebbes Music Group
I Got A Song ft Mike Zoot (3:52)
‘Blues March’ composed by B Golson, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling & M Whyte
This rework of a classic Benny Golson tune made famous by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in 1958 features rapper Mike Zoot in full flight lyrically linking the golden eras of jazz and hip-hop. The band fires up in a live jazz club setting for the playout, listen out for Mike and Benny toasting from the front row table.
vocals: Mike Zoot
bass: ZEDSIX
drums: Nick Karasavvidis
tenor saxophone: Nick Lester
piano: Mina Yu
dj: Tom Showtime
programming: ZEDSIX
tracked in Nick’s lounge room and at Avacan by Zvi Belling
Mike Zoot tracked at Rola Pola (NYC) by Andy Baldwin
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
’Blues March’ recorded courtesy of Time Step Music
Lonely Woman Pt I, Pt II, Pt III
This beat suite emerges through sampling and reinvention from the spiritual place where free jazz and indigenous music intersect. Part l is a moody production at 144bpm around Frank’s haunting song ‘Lonely Woman’, Pt ll is a re-statement of Ornette Coleman’s famous melody as the frame for an improvised jazz portrait by Scott Tinkler. Pt lll is a reharmonisation of Ornette’s improvised saxophone solo orchestrated by Hugh Crosthwaite. The spiritual flow of Frank’s Pitjantatjara language is supported ethereally throughout by David Jones with sticks and brushes and by DJ Prowla with turntables and samples from the western desert.
Lonely Woman Pt I (1:59)
‘Lonely Woman’ composed by F Yamma, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling
vocals: Frank Yamma
bass: ZEDSIX
trumpet: Scott Tinkler
drumset: David Jones
dj: Prowla
programming: ZEDSIX
tracked at studio BASSBOMB and The Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by ZEDSIX
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
Lonely Woman Pt II (3:12)
‘Lonely Woman’ composed by O Coleman
vocals: Frank Yamma
bass: ZEDSIX
trumpet: Scott Tinkler
alto saxophone: Nick Lester
drumset: David Jones
dj: Prowla
choir: Sello Molefi, ZEDSIX, Hugh Crosthwaite, Brian Abrahams and Fem Belling
programming: ZEDSIX
tracked at studio BASSBOMB and The Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by ZEDSIX
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
’Lonely Woman’ recorded courtesy of Essex Music Australia
Lonely Woman Pt III (2:14)
composed by H Crossthwaite, F Yamma & Z Belling
vocals: Frank Yamma
bass: ZEDSIX
trumpet: Scott Tinkler
tenor and alto saxophones, saxcello, clarinet: Nick Lester
trombone: Kynan Robinson
flute: Leo Dale
drumset: David Jones
didjeridoo: Charlie McMahon
dj: Prowla
programming: ZEDSIX
tracked at studio BASSBOMB, WeFO Studios and The Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by ZEDSIX
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
One Of The Few (3:25)
‘Billie’s Bounce’ composed by C Parker with arrangement and further composition by Z Belling, D Thomas, C McNulty, S McNulty & A Stephanus
This ‘Bird’ blues has been looped up and reharmonised to bring Onesixth and Chris McNulty together in a dedication to the memory of ‘Chap One’ aka Charles Parker. Onesixth delivers a personal tribute to his long time friend and collaborator, ‘your legacy will never get destroyed boy’ and Chris dedicates a powerful rendition of Chap’s own lyrics to her son, gone too soon. Dean Thomas collaborates on the beat and the low end in this track. Watch out for a live turntable juggle of Poogie’s funky drum break in the outro by DJ Tom Showtime.
vocals: Aaron ‘Onesixth’ Stephanus
vocals: Chris McNulty
backing vocals: Fem Belling
alto saxophone: Nick Lester
keyboards: Dean Thomas
bass: ZEDSIX and Dean Thomas
drums: Poogie Bell
dj: Tom Showtime
programming: ZEDSIX and Dean Thomas
tracked at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX and at Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by Jem Savage
arranged by ZEDSIX and Dean Thomas
mixed by ZEDSIX at Avacan Studios
’Billie’s Bounce’ recorded courtesy of EMI Music Publishing Australia
You Think You Know Me (Z Belling and L Rampolokeng) (0:46)
Performing with a mentor and hero, Barney Rachabane in my father’s jazz combo is one of my earliest musical memories. and the poetry of Lesego Rampolokeng was the soundtrack to my teenage years. It is with awe that I have joined them together over this short beat as a prologue for the music to follow.
spoken word: Lesego Rampolokeng
alto saxophone: Barney Rachabane
guitar and backing vocals: David Marama
dj: Prowla
arrangement and programming: ZEDSIX
mixed at Avacan Studios by ZEDSIX
You Don’t Know Me (3:21)
‘You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'Cos You Think You Know Me’ composed by M Feza, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling and N Murphy
This track was recorded during the ‘Key of Sea’ sessions with Chet Faker and The Royal Swazi Spa in 2014. It features a heartfelt vocal interpretation of Mongezi Feza’s famous anthem ‘You Ain't Gonna Know Me 'Cos You Think You Know Me’. The legendary Barney Rachabane brings his vibrant signature alto saxophone sound to a joyous solo across these famous African changes.
vocals: Nick Murphy (aka Chet Faker)
alto saxophone: Barney Rachabane
guitar and backing vocals: David Marama
piano: Howard Belling
bass: ZEDSIX
drums: Brian Abrahams
backing vocal: Fem Belling
dj: Prowla
tracked at Avacan Studios by Tristan Ludowyk and ZEDSIX, at Phenomena Studios by Paul Coyle and at Sumo Studios by Peter Auret
mixed by Tristan Ludowyk and ZEDSIX
’You Ain’t Gonna Know Me ‘cos You Think You Know Me’ recorded courtesy of Ogun Publishing
Freedom Jazz March (5:07)
‘Freedom Jazz Dance’ composed by E Harris, arrangement and further composition by Z Belling, L Ghariokwu & A Stephanus
Lemi Ghariokwu, the artist responsible for the incredible artwork on most of Fela Kuti’s records contributes a musical wisdom to this afrobeat rendition of a funk jazz classic. Onesixth takes afrobeat on an excursion into the hip-hop realm and Nick Lester applies a cosmic dimension to the track with his extended alto saxophone solo. Tristan lends the sonic weight of The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra in a keyboard solo. From across the stream, the powerful voice of Fela signs the track off in person.
vocals: Aaron ‘Onesixth’ Stephanus
vocals: Lemi Ghariokwu and Olugbade Okunade
backing vocals: Fem Belling, Evelyn Tadros, Kuukua Acqua
alto and tenor saxophone: Nick Lester
trumpet: Nic Ryan-Glenie
keybord solo: Tristan Ludowyk
guitar: Jon-Erik Andreasson
dj: Prowla
arrangement and programming: ZEDSIX
tracked at Avacan and The Hive by ZEDSIX
mixed by ZEDSIX at Avacan Studios
’Freedom Jazz Dance’ recorded courtesy of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia
Blue Mythology (4:25)
‘The Jody Grind’ composed by H Silver with arrangement and further composition by Z Belling, M Quinsacara & B Echols
Horace Silver’s upbeat blues has been converted into a funky breakbeat for MCs Querator and D-Fro to battle out an age-old love story. My sister, Fem put’s Horace’s own lyrics to the scenario and my father Howard lays some piano across this hip blues turnaround. Prowla scratches in some of Mr Silver’s wisdom, ‘the blues, it doesn’t have to have twelve bars y’know’.
vocals: Fem Belling
vocals: D-Fro
vocals: Querator
dj: Prowla
bass: ZEDSIX
drums: Ivan ‘Choi’ Khatchoyan
piano: Howard Belling
programming: ZEDSIX
tracked at Avacan and The Hive by ZEDSIX
mixed by ZEDSIX at Avacan Studios
’The Jody Grind’ recorded courtesy of Kobalt Music Publishing Australia
cover design: Chad (WIK) Harris
original cover art: David Sauceda
graffiti logo: Prowla/Josh Reynolds/Daniel Robertson
mastered at the Rolling Stock Recording Rooms by Myles Mumford and ZEDSIX
The Shape Of Jazz is the debut release by Zvi Belling aka ZEDSIX, producer, composer and bass player. The album is part of
an ongoing experiment in re-shaping American and African jazz standards through hip-hop. An all star series of collaborations investigate the intersection of boom-bap and be-bop, re-configured to sound like the future !...more
