Norman Connors is a highly influential American jazz drummer, composer, and producer. He is particularly known for his unique blend of jazz, R&B, and soul music. One of his most popular albums is "Dance of Magic," released in 1972. "Dance of Magic" is a groundbreaking album that showcases Connors' distinct musical style. The album features a blend of instrumental and vocal tracks, with contributions from various talented musicians and vocalists. It captures the vibrant energy of the jazz and soul scene of the 1970s.
"Beyond a Dream" (live with Pharoah Sanders) (1978) at My Jazz World
"Meditation" - Pharoah Sanders at Ile Oxumaré
(this is a bootleg of a different part of the same concert)
Saturday Night Special 1975 at My Jazz World You are my Starship 1976 at Blak s Lair Romantic Journey 1977 at Blak s Lair This is your Life 1978 at My Jazz World alternate 12 single of Captain Connors at Tuttsi Fruttsi Icecream Invitation 1979 at Blak s Lair. No parallels can be drawn between his later output on Buddha and Arista, where Connors delved into soul and disco on albums such as Mr C, Romantic Journey and This Is Your Life.
It captures the vibrant energy of the jazz and soul scene of the 1970s. The title track, "Dance of Magic," sets the tone for the album with its infectious rhythm and mesmerizing melodies. Connors' exceptional drumming skills take center stage, creating a dynamic and captivating sound.
Dance of Magic
Recorded with a who's who of fusion titans including trumpeter Eddie Henderson, bassist Stanley Clarke, and keyboardist Herbie Hancock, Dance of Magic channels the lessons drummer Norman Connors learned in the employ of Pharoah Sanders, Sam Rivers, and Sun Ra, marshalling Latin rhythms, electronic textures, and cosmic mysticism to create non-denominational yet deeply spiritual funk-jazz. The sprawling 21-minute title cut spans the entirety of the record's first half, capturing a monumental jam session that explores the outer edges of free improvisation but never steps past the point of no return. Connors' furious drumming is like a trail of bread crumbs that leads his collaborators back home. The remaining three tracks are smaller in scale but no less epic in scope, culminating with the blistering "Give the Drummer Some." by Jason Ankeny
Personnel: Gary Bartz - Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone; Stanley Clarke - Bass; Norman Connors - Drums; Art Webb - Flute; Anthony Wiles - Percussion [African], Balafon [Baliphone] – Nat Bettis - Percussion [African], Congas; Herbie Hancock - Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes]; Carlos Garnett - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone; Eddie Henderson – Trumpet; Cecil McBee – bass; Airto Moreira – percussion; Alphonse Mouzon – percussion; Billy Hart - percussion; Engineer: Harry Yarmark
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01. Dance Of Magic (21:00) - Norman Connors
02. Morning Change (6:29) - Cecil McBee
03. Blue (10:20) - Stanley Clarke
04. Give The Drummer Some (2:22) - Norman Connors
The track also incorporates elements of funk, adding an extra layer of groove to the music. Another standout track on the album is "Valentine Love," which features soul singer Jean Carn. This track became a major hit and is now considered a classic in the jazz and soul genre. Carn's soulful vocals combined with Connors' masterful production skills create a timeless and enchanting piece of music. Other notable tracks on "Dance of Magic" include "Kumakucha (The Sun has Risen)," "Butterfly Dreams," and "Mother of the Future." Each track showcases Connors' ability to create complex compositions that seamlessly blend different genres and musical influences. Overall, "Dance of Magic" is a captivating and innovative album that pushed the boundaries of jazz and soul music. Norman Connors' unique musical vision and exceptional talent shine throughout the album, making it a must-listen for any fan of jazz or soul music..
Reviews for "The Enigmatic Ritual: Nornan Connor's Dance of Magic Decoded"
1. James Smith - 2/5 stars - "I found Nornan Connors Dance of Magic to be quite underwhelming. The gameplay mechanics were clunky and difficult to grasp, making it frustrating to play. Additionally, the graphics were poorly designed, with pixelated images and choppy animations. The storyline was also lackluster, lacking depth and originality. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this game and cannot recommend it to others."
2. Emily Johnson - 1/5 stars - "Nornan Connors Dance of Magic was a total waste of time and money. The controls were extremely unresponsive, making it nearly impossible to execute the desired moves accurately. Furthermore, the soundtrack was repetitive and annoying, adding to the overall unpleasant experience. The lack of character development and the shallow plot were major letdowns. I would advise anyone thinking of purchasing this game to save their money for something better."
3. Michael Thompson - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for Nornan Connors Dance of Magic, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The levels felt repetitive and offered little variation in terms of challenges and dance moves. The visuals were mediocre at best, with outdated graphics and dull color schemes. I also found the story to be quite predictable and unengaging. Overall, this game lacked the magic it promised and left me wanting more."
4. Sarah Davis - 3/5 stars - "While Nornan Connors Dance of Magic had its flaws, it also had some redeeming qualities. The dance routines were creative and immersive, allowing players to feel somewhat connected to the game. However, the clunky controls and sluggish response time made it frustrating to fully enjoy the experience. The graphics were average, neither impressive nor terrible. While it may appeal to some casual gamers, I personally felt that the game fell short in terms of overall execution."