Joo Donato, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge – Joo Donato: Jazz Is Dead 7 LP

Wheres Joo Donato? Its a frequently asked question, referring simultaneously to the physical location and the musical moment he inhabits. A sampling of some of his more descriptive song titles suggests Donatos comfort with musical hybrids: Bluchanga, Sambolero, and Sambongo, to name just a few. Lacking a name for his style of music, Donatos is a distinct sound, immediately recognizable from the first few bars of any of his compositions. He was funky back when funk was a bad word (listen to either of his 1960s Brazilian LPs for proof). His compositions are deceptively simple, while his arrangements are harmonically complex, resulting in songs that are seemingly childlike, yet reveal their intricate details upon repeat listening.