The Tokyo Blues

[Rudy]

Just for fun, here's an interesting comparison. I've been working through an article on Cal Tjader and was looking to pick a track to feature from Several Shades of Jade. Turns out there are a few other versions out there and of course, Horace Silver's original. I've picked some out to listen to and vote on.

 

[Rudy]

Cal Tjader's album Several Shades of Jade tackles a few "Eastern" themes, and pulls it off well thanks to participation by Lalo Schifrin.




Tito Puente put a spin on the tune on his Royal T album.




Lalo Schifrin also recorded a version in 2000, which borrows against his original arrangement for Cal Tjader's album.

 

[Rudy]

An...unusual version with a lyric, featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater:




Remixer and jazz guitarist Nicola Conte released a series of obscure Brazilian Bossa Nova and samba tracks from the 60s, including a version of this tune by a group called Octons.

 

[JOv2]

I go with Horace. As more of a pop excursion (which many of the Verves really were), I like the Tjader (but if you put up Breeze from the East out here I'm leaving😵). I really liked the Puente and all things considered I'd probably take that one, but I'm biased toward the '60s bag. Didn't much care for the others and I passed on the vocal after about 10 seconds.

 

[Rudy]

Yeah, the vocal version (from a Horace Silver tribute, no less) did nothing for me either.

Breeze from the East is..."a dumb album" (Cal Tjader's words for it). Thankfully there are a couple of good tracks from it (like "Black Orchid" and "Poinciana" which are essentially just the Tjader combo), but the Stan Applebaum orchestrated tracks are too kitschy and faux-Oriental.