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Gong - Catspin

Like all other musical genres, jazz can be characterized by wellndefined sub genres like swing or bebop, and by the musicians who dominated a particular period or collection of periods. But the creative output of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis quashed those norms. Davis charted an eclectic path where he didn’t settle on any one particular sound or playing style.

When first introduced to popular culture, blues and jazz were branded by traditionalists as the devil’s music, yet both genres have endured the test of time and continue to maintain strong followings today through fans who crave classic recordings as well as those who seek out contemporary artists. Recent years have seen an increasing influence of R&B, hip hop and pop music on jazz in particular. Another internet aided trend of modern jazz is that of extreme reharmonization, performed by virtuosic players known for their speed and mastery of complex polyrhythms. Though their roots date back more than 150 years, blues and jazz are still alive and well today.


Gong - Catspin
  • Vocals by: Gilli Smyth
  • Released on: Mar 1, 2004
  • Genre: Jazz, Rock

"Gong is more jazz oriented, with Gilli Smyth and Steve Hillage, and the addition of Allan Holdsworth alongside Pierre Moerlen and Didier Malherbe."

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