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The bluffer’s guide to jazz: How to pass yourself off as an expert

December 17, 2014 by anubha76 Leave a Comment

Jazz is the soundtrack of smoky rooms and free spirited evenings. It’s the tune of decadent, Great Gatsby style parties and cultural renaissance. The foundation stone of the Roaring Twenties, when flappers danced away any pretence of rules and conventions on glittering nights. It’s the song of rebellion, of Prohibition-era speakeasies, where pleasure ruled and outlawed liquor flowed freely. It’s the music of philosophers, of music theory savants, of legendary musicians.

Jazz. It’s a form of music that’s been associated with freedom, movement and individual expression for more than a 100 years.

Jazz. It’s the music that’s everywhere right now. The music that everyone’s talking about. The music that few of us really understand. It’s also intimidating as hell for newcomers.

jazz guide 2So first, what is jazz?

Jazz is the hardest music form to define because it so organic. But broadly speaking, it has the following attributes:

Improvisation: Jazz players are constantly improvising, literally making up the music on the spot. They may start off with a known melody, then interpret it individually. This makes jazz spontaneous and energetic.

Variety: Jazz thrives on instrumental diversities, unlike classical music which is based on orchestral symphony.

Rhythm: Jazz is full of rhythmic surprises (called syncopation), where the emphasis of a song is shifted to unaccented beats and notes.

Instruments: The main instruments used during a jazz recital are bass, piano, drums, saxophone and the trumpet.

The essence of jazz: Soulfulness

There is an emotional urgency in jazz that comes from its place deep in the individual musician’s imagination and psyche.

The origins of jazz

The roots of jazz go back to the Southern fields of America, where black slaves invoked native songs from their African homelands. Gradually, this music was infused with Caribbean and Latin strains, along with gospel, blues and European classics to create one of the most richly textured music forms the world has ever heard.

Jazz goes to New Orleans

Jazz started its current form in the black ghettos of New Orleans at the end of the 19th century. And its commonly believed that Buddy Bolden was the first jazz musician, having formed his first band in 1895.

And then travels to the world

In the 1920s jazz moved up river to Chicago and New York as African Americans migrated in search of a better life. The main protagonist was trumpeter Louis Armstrong, who left New Orleans to create revolutionary new music in Chicago.

jazz guideForms of jazz

As the genre evolved, jazz split into a number of different styles, each of which will crop up in any conversation about the music form today.

New Orleans jazz (1920s): Closely related to the marching bands popular in New Orleans, this is typically led by a trumpet or cornet. Solos are almost non-existent and the emphasis is on collective improvisation.

Artists to know: Buddy Bolden, Joe “King” Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, The Original Dixieland Jass Band

Dixieland or Chicago jazz (1920s): Inspired by New Orleans jazz, it made changes in the form of solos and incorporating the piano.

Artists to know: Louis Armstrong, James P. Johnson, Duke Ellington

Swing (1935-1945): This marked the entry of larger ensembles known as “big bands”, with simplified written arrangements and more sophisticated solos. It was more repetitious and pop friendly than other forms of jazz.

Artists to know: Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway

Bop or bebop (circa 1945): Faster, more abstract and with a spotlight on the soloist, bop took jazz to art status and out of low culture. But it lacked melody and was not meant for dancing.

Artists to know: Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Max Roach

Cool jazz or West Coast jazz (1950s and ’60s): A mixture of bop and swing, smoothing out the hard edges with less dissonance, softer tones and an emphasis on arrangements.

Artists to know: Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker

Hard bop (1950s and ’60s): Simpler, more soulful melodies, looser rhythm sections and similarities to rhythm and blues.

Artists to know: Miles Davis Quintet, Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver

Free Jazz (1959-1970): Pretty much the elimination of any and all limitations, free jazz totally dispensed with any rules. It was simply based on sounds, with musicians often making squeaks and squawks by over-blowing their horns.

Artists to know: Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane

Fusion (1967-‘­70s): A combination of rock music and jazz, which is usually shunned by jazz purists.

Artists to know: Miles Davis, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard

The most significant jazz albums

Intrigued? Want to start a jazz collection? Or simply want to namecheck a few albums for conversational purposes? All Music Guide has created a shortlist of the 15 best jazz albums to get you started.

Louis Armstrong, Plays WC Handy, 1997 version
Benny Goodman, Sing, Sing, Sing
Billie Holiday, The Quintessential, Vol. 5
Count Basie, The Atomic Mr. Basie
Duke Ellington, Uptown
Charlie Parker, Yardbird Suite
Dizzy Gillespie, At Newport
Dave Brubeck, Time Out
Miles Davis, Kind of Blue
John Coltrane, My Favorite Things
Stan Getz, Getz / Gilberto
Wes Montgomery, The Incredible Jazz Guitar
Lee Morgan, Sidewinder
Weather Report, Heavy Weather
Wynton Marsalis, Blue Interlude

Filed Under: Music Tagged With: bluffer's guide to jazz, forms of jazz, guide to jazz, how to understand jazz, jazz, jazz 101, jazz for beginners, jazz guide, jazz styles, kinds of jazz, understanding jazz, what is jazz

The handbag glossary: A visual guide to EVERY kind of handbag style for women in the know

December 13, 2014 by anubha76 1 Comment

Satchel. Baguette. Minaudière. Foldover. Hobo. Bucket. Frame. And so many more. The variety of handbag styles boggles the mind, doesn’t it? Fortunately, the nice people over at Scarves.com have put together this snappy visual guide to every kind handbag style known to womankind.

And dear men, you should read it as well. Chalk it up as a win during gift buying time!

handbag styles

Filed Under: Accessories, Fashion, For women Tagged With: handbag guide, handbag styles, handbags 101, kinds of handbags, kinds of purses, purse 101, purse guide, purse styles, type of purses, types of handbags, women handbags, women purses, women's fashion

The ULTIMATE guide to men’s shoes. Complete with wardrobe pairings.

December 10, 2014 by anubha76 1 Comment

Have you ever puzzled over what shoes to wear with that suit? Or whether to pick loafers or oxfords for a night on the town? Or whether brogues are all right for a wedding? Or even: what in the world ARE brogues?

Welcome. You are finally in the right place. Whether you’re a shoe aficionado, or just trying to cover your bases, this snappy guide to men’s shoes will make choosing the right pair simpler than you ever thought possible.

Men’s shoes 101: Lace-ups

men's shoes 101 laceupsThe Oxford

What: Any lace-up shoes that expose the ankle.

Wear with: Can be formal or casual, depending on the type of leather and sole. A patent leather-soled version is great with a formal suit or tux. A full-grain leather topper and rubber-soled version pairs nicely with chinos or dark-wash jeans. And the thinner the soles, the more formal the Oxfords!

Balmorals

What: Oxfords drawn together by laces sewn under the front part of the shoe and then closed over its tongue. Looks like the shoe is made from one piece of leather.

Wear with: Suits and formal or semi-formal wear; won’t pair well with jeans and chinos.

Bluchers / Derby shoes

What: The lacing system is sewn on the shoe’s outside, with visible flaps. Plus, the sides of the shoe are sewn on top of the front part.

Wear with: Smart-casuals like jeans, dress shorts and sport coats; should be worn with a suit only on rainy days. Broguing, a split toe or color combinations make them more casual.

Brogues

What: Characterized by decorative perforations on the uppers, brogues can come in any shape of shoe or boot.

Wear with: The more broguing a shoe has, the less formal it becomes. So, a full brogue is perfect for jeans, chinos and other casuals; semi-brogues can be worn with a blazer or sport coats; and quarter brogues can be worn as a dress shoe with a suit. Never appropriate for black tie or white tie events.

Wing-tips

What: Toe broguing that resembles a bird with its wings spread.

Wear with: Jeans, chinos and other casuals. Opt for smooth or uniform leathers to make the broguing shine.

Men’s shoes 101: Slip-ons (see, no laces!)

men's shoes 101 sliponsThe monk strap

What: Have a metallic buckle and leather strap instead of laces.

Wear with: Can be dressed down with cuffed jeans or dressed up with a dapper suit. Match the metal of the clasp to your belt buckle, wristwatch and cufflinks.

Moccasins

What: The soles and sides are made from one piece of leather. A fashion necessity!

Wear with: Wear through the day, switching from a business suit to clubbing jeans.

Loafers

What: Resemble a moccasin on top but have a wide and fairly flat heel. A more casual variant is the driving moccasin that has a softer, less structured look and a dotted rubber sole.

Wear with: Jeans, chinos and casual jackets; only wear with a business suit when traveling.

The opera pump

What: A formal loafer made from black patent leather, with a grosgrain ribbon decoration on the cap.

Wear with: Black tie or white tie ONLY.

Tassel loafers

What: Loafers with two tassels on each upper; strongly reminiscent of the ‘20s and synonymous with the classic mod look.

Wear with: Jeans and a sports jacket for a relaxed but upmarket look.

Penny loafers

What: A white strap with a diamond shaped cutout runs across the top of the shoe.

Wear with: Corduroy pants, chinos, flannel slacks, linen and seersucker.

Boat / Deck shoes

What: Canvas or leather uppers whose rubber soles have a herringbone pattern cut into them for added grip on wet surfaces.

Wear with: Casual summer shoes and should not be worn with a suit, blazer or sport coat; work well with slim, streamlined jeans, khakis, slacks or shorts.

Espadrilles

What: Trademark rope soles – real or faux. In the summer heat, the rope soles breathe without getting your feet dirty like flip-flops or sweaty and sticky like sneakers.

Wear with: They’ll take you from the beach, to the barbeque, to dinner.

Men’s shoes 101: Boots

men's shoes 101 bootsAnkle boots

What: Standard low boot, with a leather body, rubber sole and rounded toe.

Wear with: Versatile: can be worn under suits in business settings, on dates or for special events.

Dress boots

What: Short, ankle-length boots with a slight heel and built like your standard Oxford.

Wear with: A sport jacket, odd trousers or dressy jeans; only wear with a suit in cold or wet weather. For the latter, opt for thinner soles and glossier leathers.

The Chelsea boot

What: An ankle-high boot with elasticated side panels that run from above the welt to the opening.

Wear with: Can add a classic touch to jeans, but also give a slightly alternative look to a tailored suit. Polished leather can be formal or casual, while suede ones are for casual to semi-formal outings only.

The chukka boot

What: Ankle-length boots with 2-3 pairs of eyelets with open lacing on each side. Not to be confused with desert boots, which have a casual rubber sole instead of the traditional leather.

Wear with: Can hold their own in semi-formal or business casual situations.

Jodhpurs

What: Ankle length, round toe and low-heeled shoes fastened with a strap and buckle that wraps around the ankle.

Wear with: Fitted chinos, jeans, casual suits and sport coats; don’t wear them with baggy trousers. DON’T tuck your jeans or trousers into them!

Hiking boots

What: Provide support above the ankle with a suede or leather upper, padded collar, and soft leather lining. Also have a cushioned insole, padded tongue and a thick rubber sole.

Wear with: Jeans and outdoorsy pieces – think chunky knit jumpers, Barbour jackets, tweeds and cords. A chunky sock, worn ruched at the ankle, will add a tough edge!

Workwear boots

What: Originally steel-toed, the new generation of workwear boots subs in a nonmetallic composite material without sacrificing the toughness.

Wear with: Casual, rugged attire such as slim-fit indigo jeans, worker-wear jackets, flannel pieces and chambray/denim shirts (think stylish lumberjack). Skinny jeans can make these appear clumpy and unsightly.

Biker boots

What: The height ranges from above the ankle to below the knee, but all motorcycle boots boast a low heel and heavy-duty leather.

Wear with: A classic leather jacket, a relaxed fit pocket tee and dark denim.

The cowboy boot

What: A tall boot shaft at least above the middle of the calf, no laces and a heel of about two inches.

Wear with: Jeans (preferably a dark and slim boot cut), an Oxford shirt and a tweed sport coat.

The military boot / Combat boots

What: Run the gamut from ankle-high to under-the-knee, and are made from technical materials like waterproof leather, Gore-Tex and rubber.

Wear with: Dark denim (with a couple of cuffs or tucked directly into the boot), a vintage tee and a tailored peacoat.

Men’s shoes 101: Open-toes

men's shoes 101 sandalsThongs

What: Flip-flops

Wear with: They’re beachwear, plain and simple – don’t wear them with anything other than shorts. And never (ever!) wear with socks.

Sports sandals

What: Several wide cross straps that go over the foot for support. Also waterproof, with an athletic sole for traction.

Wear with: Jeans, shorts or chinos.

Dress sandals

What: A slightly more formal version of sports sandal, with leather replacing rubber and metal buckles replacing Velcro straps.

Wear with: Perfect for spring and summertime outdoor events and with linen suits. DON’T wear with socks. Please.

All illustrations by Kristina Hultkrantz

Filed Under: Fashion, Male grooming Tagged With: balmorals, bluchers, brogues, brogues vs bluchers, Guys Footwear, Guys Shoes, Men Footwear, Men Shoes, men's shoe guide, men's shoes 101, Menswear, Men’s Shoes, Men’s Style Guide, oxfords, shoe guide, Shoes, shoes 101, what are dress shoes, what shoes to wear with a suit

Simply everything you need to know about Japanese whisky. In 11 peg-size points.

December 6, 2014 by anubha76 Leave a Comment

Whisky connoisseurs are still recovering from the shock of having their beloved Scotch edged out of the top rung by a relative stranger – the Japanese single malt. The Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 was given the World’s Best title by the iconic Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015. Murray praised the Japanese malt  as  “near indescribable genius”, with a “nose of exquisite boldness” and a finish of “light, teasing spice”, giving it an astounding 97.5 out of 100.

To add further insult to injury, not a single Scotch managed to make the final five shortlist.

So, what is it that the rest of us have been missing about Japanese whisky? Let’s find out, in 11 peg-size points.

Collection of Suntory single malts, including the award winning Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013

Collection of Suntory single malts, including the award winning Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013

1. Japanese whisky is not exactly the new kid on the block…

Whisky has been commercially produced in Japan since the early 1920s, after Masataka Taketsuru, a young chemist, studied the art in Scotland. On returning, he set up the Yamazaki distillery, in partnership with Torii Shinjiro, now the owner of Suntory.

Bonus fact: Recently Suntory announced a $16 billion takeover of Beam Inc., the maker of Laphroaig and Ardmore Scotches among others. This makes Suntory the world’s third largest spirits-maker after Diageo and Pernod.

2. … and it’s the world’s third largest producer now

Japan is the world’s third largest producer of whisky behind the Scots and the Americans – yes, they beat the Irish!

3. The Missing “E”

Since Japanese whisky has more in common with Scottish ones, rather than Irish or American, its name follows the Scotch tradition and is spelled without an “e”.

4. Getting the grain

Barley is not indigenous to Japan, so the grain still tends to be imported from Scotland.

Photo: Norio NAKAYAMA/Flickr

Photo: Norio NAKAYAMA/Flickr

5. The age factor

Though the Japanese whisky makers use many types of barrel for ageing – including French oak and bourbon – several distilleries employ the native Mizunara oak, which imparts almost ecclesiastical aromas of temple incense and sandalwood. Plus, Mizunara-matured whiskies lose an exceptional amount of water through evaporation, making for a much more condensed end product.

6. Nature steps in

Japan’s extreme climate speeds up the maturation, making the whisky seem older than it’s actual age. Plus, the mineral water used for making these whiskies is treasured enough to be bottled and sold on its own. All this has a distinctive effect on the whisky.

7. The flavour profile

Like with any and every facet of their lives, the Japanese prize harmony and balance in their whiskies as well, paying more attention to the body and texture than other countries. The top rung ones are usually floral, more rounded and have a softer, silkier texture than those from Scotland, while being equally complex. Suavely bold rather than jaw-grabbingly aggressive is how one would sum them up.

8. Breaking the rules

Unlike Scotch, Japanese whisky is not regulated in the USA, so producers have more freedom to experiment with flavors and techniques. For example, the Scots cannot use a combination of different types of stills and casks but it’s very usual in Japan. Even the ageing process can run through different iterations: the Yoichi distillery uses coal fires (instead of steam) to heat the pot stills, creating a richer, peatier flavour.

Photo: Norio NAKAYAMA/Flickr

Photo: Norio NAKAYAMA/Flickr

9. Mix-‘n-Match, the Japanese way

In Japan, there is no trading of unfinished whiskies between distillers. Instead, each distillery creates every conceivable style of whisky by itself, providing the master blender with a wide range of minutely calibrated in-house variations. This makes Japanese blended whiskies extremely specific to each house: individualized, idiosyncratic, sometimes even offbeat.

10. Drinking it, the Japanese way

Though technically speaking, you can drink a Japanese whisky any which way – neat, on the rocks, with a splash or in a cocktail – the most authentic is mizuwari, which translates as “mixed with water”. To make it right, fill your glass with ice and add one part of whisky to two parts of mineral water. Younger generations of Japanese are now also leaning towards the highball – a version of mizuwari where whisky is mixed with sparkling water.

11. Taking the world stage

The Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 isn’t the first whisky to shine on the world stage: Nikka’s Yoichi whisky was named Best of the Best by Whisky Magazine in 2001. Suntory’s 30-year-old Hibiki won the top award at the International Spirits Challenge in 2003, after which Suntory went on to earn awards at the competition for the next 11 years.

Japanese whisky: Top bottles

So, now you know. And since the Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 is all sold out across the world, here is a shortlist of the best that’s available on the market (in no particular order).

Hibiki 21-year-old blended whisky, $300
Hakushu 12-year-old single malt, $70
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt 21-year-old, $170
Yamazaki 25-year-old single malt, $1,600
Yoichi 15-year-old single malt, $130

Have you tried a Japanese whisky? Which one’s your favorite?

Filed Under: Beverages, Cult Tagged With: Hakushu, Hibiki, Japanese malt, Japanese Scotch, Japanese Whiskey, Japanese Whisky, Japanese whisky guide, Japanese whisky vs Scotch, Liquor, Suntory, Suntory Japanese Whisky, what is Japanese whisky, Whiskey, Whisky, Yamazaki, Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013

A beginners guide to sushi: Part 3 (How to eat sushi the correct way)

November 30, 2014 by anubha76 Leave a Comment

Now that you know your maki from your nigiri and aji from aayogi, it’s time to take a seat at the sushi table. But what’s the best way to eat this Japanese delicacy? Can you eat it with your fingers? Should wasabi be stirred into the soy sauce or spread directly on the roll? One mouthful or two?

Add to this the famed Japanese penchant for fusing form with function, which means the flavor and experience of sushi is influenced not only by how it’s prepared, but also by how you eat it.

Suitably challenged? These guidelines will help you thoroughly enjoy your next sushi adventure.

how to eat sushiHow to eat sushi

1. Clean your hands: You may be offered hot, wet towel (oshibori) before the meal. This is to clean your hands. NOT your face.

2. Use your hands: Sushi actually began as finger food. So yes, it’s PERFECTLY all right to eat it with your fingers. In fact, most sushi masters prefer using fingers as this allows you to experience the texture and helps keep everything together. Plus, it is hard to properly dip the fish using chopsticks.

3. Know your condiments: Typically, a plate of sushi includes some pungent wasabi – Japanese horseradish – which looks like green paste. Soy sauce is called murasaki, which means”purple” and comes in a shallow dish. Then there is pickled ginger (gari) placed in thin, pink slices on the side of the plate

4. Don’t mix the condiments: Aka, don’t pour wasabi into your soy sauce. Wasabi should always be spread directly on the fish.

5. Dip your sushi fish-side first: Turn your sushi upside down, then dip only the fish into your soy sauce – never the rice. Else the rice may soak up too much soy sauce, ruining the balance of flavours. Plus, the molded rice will disintegrate if it’s dipped directly into soy sauce.

http://mannersandmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/how-to-eat-sushi-2.mp4

6. Do not dip elaborate sushi: If the sushi has a glaze or sauce on top (usually the case with nigiri), do not dip it in the soy sauce, as this will mess up the flavours.

7. Be careful with the wasabi: Dab just a small bit onto your sushi, so you don’t overpower all other flavours. If you are eating nigiri, the chef may have added wasabi between the fish and the rice, so try a piece before adding more.

8. Eat from lightest to darkest: Start with the mildest fish (like flounder) and work towards the heavier tuna. If it’s a platter of different kinds of sushi, begin with nigiri and maki, followed by more elaborate rolls or temaki. The milder flavors come first, so they are not overpowered by the bold flavors.

9. Rice follows fish: Sushi pieces should be placed in the mouth upside down so that the fish lies against your tongue. This allows you to taste the fish more than you taste the rice.

10. Eat the sushi in one bite: Traditionally, each piece of sushi should be eaten in one bite. If you really can’t eat the piece in one bite, hold it with your fingers until you are ready to finish. It is poor etiquette to return a half-eaten piece to the plate.

11. Cleanse your palette with ginger: The ginger is never meant to be eaten in the same bite as the sushi. Instead, use it refresh your mouth between bites, especially between different types of sushi. Think of it as a taste bud reboot!

Plus, how to pair your sushi

Just a roll of sushi does not a meal make. So, here’s how to pair it with the right beverages and other dishes to create the perfect menu.

1. Starters: Popular pre-sushi starters include miso soup, suimono (clear broth), a mixed salad and edamame (boiled soy beans).

2. Beverages: Typically, experts avoid drinking sake with sushi, since they are both rice-based and may interfere with each other. Green tea, water and a mild beer make the best pairing, while wines and soft drinks will overpower the subtle flavors of sushi. However, this is really a matter of personal taste.

3. Rounding it off: Many sushi restaurants serve agari – green or brown roasted tea – at the end of a meal. Or you could opt for miso soup, which is traditionally enjoyed at the very end of the dining experience.

Also read:

The different kinds of sushi

Reading the sushi ingredients

How to order and eat at a sushi bar

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: eat sushi with hands, How to Eat Sushi, Manners for Sushi, proper way to eat sushi, Right Way to Eat Sushi, Sushi 101, Sushi and Chopsticks, Sushi Basics, Sushi Eating, Sushi Eating Guide, Sushi Etiquette, Sushi Guide, sushi How To, Sushi Manners, Sushi Video, Wrong Way to Eat Sushi

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