SONG OF THE DAY Phil Woods, Iordanis Tsomidis – Greek Cooking

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Considered as one of the more unusual recordings in his discography, Greek Cooking is an album by US jazz saxophonist/composer & bandleader Phil Woods. Released in 1967 on the Impluse! label, this record featured an exotic fusion of Greek flavours, incorporating four Greek musicians into this alluring mix.

One artist that featured on this record was Iordanis Tsomidis, a Greek Rebetiko musician and bouzouki player (Rebetiko being  an urban popular song of the Greeks). Throughout his career Tsomidis released at least eight records in the U.S.A, Germany and The Netherlands and it was actually this artist that got led me today’s song after I heard his rhythmically charming and rather hypnotic Moustika track (YUM).

Phil Moore’s Greek Cooking album closed with it’s title track and this tune is one of my favourites on the album. Offering up a finely balanced blend of rich jazz tones and colourful Greek infusions, this instrumental venture straddles both worlds perfectly; allowing each part to unravel and entwine with a and organic flow that harmonises both elements. The drumming is something I’m appreciating rather a lot too!! Check it out above.