Three extraordinary Disney jazz CDs from Japan

I've just come back from Tokyo, where, as ever, I found time to visit Tokyo Disneysea, the most elaborate and beautiful constructed environment I've ever seen. While there, I found three remarkable Disney jazz albums that have knocked my socks off by combining classic Disney standards with novel, artful interpretations from a diverse and talented collection of artists.

First off, Bossa Disney Carioca, which has the worst cover and the best music of all three. These cool Brazilian covers reveal the pure, breathy dreamlike character in Disney's best music, especially Saigenji's "When You Wish Upon a Star" and Maucha Adnet's "Sonhar E Desejar" ("A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes"). Every track on this disc made me smile and sing along.

Next up, the altogether more challenging Modal Jazz Loves Disney, a more free-form approach to the canon. These are a little spottier, but when they score, they score big, as with the Helge Lien Trio's cover of the sinister, slinky overture from The Jungle Book, and LTC's sprinkly Baby Mine.

Disney's Jazz Album: Big Band & Swing is the least interesting of the three, but that's mostly because so much of it is drawn from common issues like Disney Songs the Satchmo Way and original soundtrack recordings of tracks like Peggy Lee's smoky He's a Tramp. But this disc does have some standout rarities that were new to me, like the cover of Heigh Ho from Mary Martin and Tutti Camarata and His Orchestra, as well as their cover of Bibbidi Bobbidy Boo.

Bossa Disney Carioca on Amazon Japan, Modal Jazz Loves Disney on Amazon Japan, Disney's Jazz Album: Big Band & Swing on Amazon

Discussion

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#1 posted by Jauhara al Kafirah , October 14, 2008 9:43 AM

One of my favorite albums is Dave Digs Disney. I am sure you probably have it, but it's Dave Brubeck at his finest.

#2 posted by airship , October 14, 2008 9:50 AM

I love big band & swing, but $51.99 for ONE album???

#3 posted by guy_jin , October 14, 2008 9:52 AM

between the fact that the covers are crappy and the music is good, I'm inclined to belive these are bootlegs.

#4 posted by robofunk , October 14, 2008 10:06 AM

There are also these pretty cool Japanese Punk Disney albums, Dive Into Disney and Mosh Pit On Disney.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%80%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B4%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88%E3%82%A5%E3%83%BB%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%BA%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC-CCCD-%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%BA%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC/dp/B00006IIA9/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1224003602&sr=8-31

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%A2%E3%83%83%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BB%E3%83%94%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%BB%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%83%BB%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%BA%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC-CCCD-%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%BA%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC/dp/B00027LIES/ref=pd_sim_m_1

#5 posted by mokey , October 14, 2008 10:12 AM

Give Disney money? Regardless of the fact that I have none, I wouldn't do it even if i were a thousandaire. Pirate links plz.

#6 posted by Cory Doctorow , October 14, 2008 11:03 AM

I'm pretty sure they aren't bootlegs, as I bought them inside a Disney themepark (and for a lot less than $50! They were about $12 each).

#7 posted by EricC , October 14, 2008 11:50 AM

There's a much better known collection of Disney bossa that I like very much, particularly the tracks by Joyce:

http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Bossa-Nova/dp/B00080EV0M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1224009658&sr=8-1

#8 posted by buddy66 , October 14, 2008 1:54 PM

If it's got Samba it's gotta be good. IMHO Samba is the world's greatest dance. Once saturated at Carnaval, second-lining a bloco, you're hooked forever. Then the misconceptions about Voodoo make sense.

I danced with a zombie.

#9 posted by BlueKephra , October 14, 2008 4:26 PM

There's a pretty cool CD of Sun Ra and Arkestra doing Disney tunes.I just wish they'd done it in the studio. As it is it's a live CD which came about because they turned up at some venue and had a disagreement with the manager about something, probably money, can't quite remember, so instead of the jazz the audience were expecting, they played Disney film tunes.....

#10 posted by jocoska , October 15, 2008 2:51 AM

I must hear these. Up until now my personal favourites were Readymade Digs Disney (vol.1 -3 ) (http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_ss_m?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=readymade+disney).
Basicaly it's Disney tunes boosted up - japanese style. Great tunes, I love them, and they're a hit on every kids' birthday party.

#11 posted by Shay Guy , October 15, 2008 7:00 PM

I don't suppose there's any Yoko Kanno on any of them?