In spite of the metal, punk, alternative, and film-score music lover in me, I also have a great love for  jazz.  But not necessarily all jazz, but old-school type jazz.  The greats like MILES DAVIS, JOHN COLTRANE, DAVE BRUBECK, and so many others.   Their cool vibe is infectious and just makes me want to climb behind my drums, start playing until I'm deep in a fugue state, and just hope I'll never come up for real-world air again.  Simply live out the rest of my life wearing black turtlenecks, grooving with amazing & abstract musicians, and lusting after svelte beatnik beauties in dark basement clubs the world over. 

The first time I fell in love with the fantasy of dark, smoky, jazz clubs was when I saw the film (a thousand years ago now) WHERE THE BOYS ARE (1960), starring CONNIE FRANCIS, et al.  But it was the inimitable actor FRANK GORSHIN as BASIL the jazz band leader who, in one classic scene (scroll down for link below), expounds prophetically on "Dialectic Jazz".  Wow, I thought, what is Dialectic Jazz?  Well, simply put, it's the style I really enjoy listening to and love to play (even if only alone in my room).  But still, what is it?  The dictionary describes the word "dialectic" as:

dialectic |ˌdīəˈlektik|Philosophy
noun(also dialectics ) [ usu. treated as sing. ]
1_the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions.
2_inquiry into metaphysical contradictions and their solutions.
• the existence or action of opposing social forces, concepts, etc.

OK!  Makes perfect sense, right?  Hmmmmm…maybe only if you've experienced Dialectic Jazz first hand.  Now, at this point you're probably asking yourself, "Why the hell is this guy really running on and on in this blog post, about Dialectic Jazz?"  And you'd be correct in doing so.  Well, let me tell you why.  Several weeks ago, while slaving over my new novella, the GORSHIN scene from WHERE THE BOYS ARE just popped into my head.  I tried to remember exactly, what is the definition of "dialectic" again?  So I looked it up.  Then I immediately launched off on a writer's procrastination tangent (anything to escape a bit of  the relentless writer's doldrums ) and Googled the virtual world for real Dialectic Jazz bands, if they even existed anymore, or ever really did under the Dialectic Jazz label.  By pure chance an album popped up called DIALECTIC by the MIKE ALLEN TRIO.  I kept following my nose until I found the album, released back in 2003 (and on iTunes in 2006).  I sampled the music in iTunes and instantly fell in love with the sax-driven, standup bass & drums, MIKE ALLEN TRIO and the album DIALECTIC!  Just wonderful, groovy, slick, finger snapping cool, and outrageously tasty!  I immediately purchased and downloaded DIALECTIC, and have been listening to it on a regular basis ever since.

For anyone that loves jazz in the style of DAVIS, COLTRANE, and BRUBECK, do yourself a favor and check out DIALECTIC and the MIKE ALLEN TRIO.  Follow and enjoy the links below!

MIKE ALLEN's Official Website (for bio info and more recordings, etc.):
http://www.mikeallenjazz.com/

Listen to and/or purchase DIALECTIC here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dialectic/id542504808

Read the AllAboutJazz.com Review of DIALECTIC here:
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/mike-allen-trio-dialectic-by-david-a-orthmann.php

Now Enjoy Some Video Of The MIKE ALLEN TRIO on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj_u5Fx157Q

 

*********

 

As A Great Companion Album to DIALECTIC…

NO COVER
by
JULIAN MacDONOUGH, JOSH COOK & CHUCK KISTLER

JULIAN MacDONOUGH is the drummer playing on DIALECTIC with the MIKE ALLEN TRIO and he is outstanding!  Listen or purchase NO COVER on…

CDBaby.com (I Listened):
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/joshcookchuckkistlerjuli

Or

iTunes.com (I Purchased):
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/no-cover/id625442322
 

 

Enjoy the JULIAN MacDONOUGH TRIO
Performing UNSQUARE DANCE by DAVE BRUBECK here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKJfVCwPAbY

********

 Now enjoy a little of me with my
jazz new-wave band ABOUT 9 TIMES
from way back when...

 
LIFE IS CHEAP IN THE MIDDLE EAST
From The Album
THERE IS NO...:

https://soundcloud.com/christopher-alan-broadstone/life-is-cheap-in-the-middle-east   

 &

HUMAN THING (Demo)
From The Album
BEYOND BLUE SKY NOTHING:
https://soundcloud.com/christopher-alan-broadstone/human-thing

 

********

Check Out the "Dialectic Jazz" Scene From
WHERE THE BOYS ARE (1960):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8RA3yIMegc

And Also Enjoy The Classic Theme Song To
WHERE THE BOYS ARE, sung by CONNIE FRANCIS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqgl0VRJW0E

Woohoo! Finally a productive day. Only took me waking up , thanks to anxiety thoughts about life, and getting rolling at 4:30am.

Then, after some graphics work, hitting the new Nazi novella hard. I've been stalling with motivation the last few days, but I finally hammered the book just enough and cracked through from Chapter-7 (with a small cliffhanger) to Chapter-8!
Chapter 8 can wait until tomorrow though.

August 28th!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AMAZING MOM!!!!!!

Love you!

ALL NEW from Feast Frenzy @ The Horror Food Network!

SRIRACHA GRILLED MUSHROOM & SWISS CHEESE SANDWICH!

First take two slices of Nature's Harvest 40-calorie Muiti-grain bread and swab with Tuong Ot Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce (or other brand of your choice).  Place one slice (Sriracha side down) on the grill (my NuWave Oven) and lay on one slice of Swiss cheese.  Then add one layer of thickly sliced white mushrooms, then one more slice of Swiss cheese, a layer of sliced red onion in rings, then one more slice of Swiss cheese.  Pop on the second piece of bread (Sriracha side up) and grill for 4 minutes.  Flip over and grill another 4 minutes.  Cut diagonally and place on a plate.  On the side: four half-slices of hothouse tomatoes spiced with 50/50 salt, freshly ground black pepper, and basil.  Add one stick of celery drizzled with ground cayenne pepper and some Fritos Lightly Salted chips just because they're always delicious and go with everything.   Not too heavy, but very satisfying, and absolutely scrumptious!

ALL NEW from Feast Frenzy @ The Horror Food Network!

GRILLED CHICKEN & PAUL-MARKS SLAW WRAP!

First grill one thin, chicken breast cutlet (for me on my NuWave Oven) and spice with garlic powder, basil, Jalapeno Texas Gunpowder, and Frank's Cayenne Pepper Sauce Xtra-Hot.  Grill approximately 8-minutes on each side (until 170F).  When ready, slice the cutlet into narrow strips.

Next, lay out one Ole Spinach & Herbs (50-calorie Extreme Wellness) Tortilla and spread with a thin layer of Jalapeno Mustard.  Add a layer of fresh spinach & spring greens, then the chicken strips, and then spoon on the flavor pièce-de-résistance––the Paul-Marks Mustard-Slaw (see recipe in Feast Frenzy post from 10.24.16).  Top with sliced black olives and shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, then roll up the tortilla, toothpick it, and cut in half.  On the side: crinkle-cut fries grilled on my NuWave Oven until golden, then drizzled with garlic powder, paprika, and freshly ground black pepper.  The dipping sauce is ketchup mixed with Tuong Ot Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce.  Super tasty, healthy, and filling!

ALL NEW from Feast Frenzy @ The Horror Food Network!

Oh, this turned out exceptionally well!

GRILLED CHICKEN 3-CHEESE SANDWICH & PAUL-MARKS MUSTARD-SLAW!

First make the Paul-Marks Mustard-Slaw: In a large mixing bowl drop in three handfuls of red cabbage and an equal amount of shredded carrots, then add a healthy amount of thickly diced red onion, thinly sliced cucumber, and one finely diced Jalapeno pepper.  Add (to taste) yellow mustard, juice from 1/2 fresh lime, garlic powder, ground black pepper, 50/50 salt, and Frank's Cayenne Pepper Sauce Xtra-Hot.  Mix all thoroughly, place in a small container, and chill in the fridge for at least 24 hours.

The following day, grill one thin chicken breast cutlet (for me on my NuWave Oven) and spice with garlic powder, basil, Jalapeno Texas Gunpowder, and Frank's Cayenne Pepper Sauce Xtra-Hot.  Grill approximately 8-minutes each side (until 170F).  Now butter two slices of the bread of your choice and place one slice (butter side down) on the grill, add a layer of extra sharp cheddar cheese, then add the chicken cutlet, then add two slices of Swiss cheese and a top layer of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.  Place the remaining slice of bread on top (butter side up) and grill for 3 minutes.  Flip over and grill another 3 minutes.  Slice diagonally and place on a plate.  Spoon a heaping helping of the Paul-Marks Mustard-Slaw into a bowl, top with one pepperoncini, then add a side of Claussen dill edges (drizzled with paprika) and one radish.  Fantastic––not too spicy––and just plain delicious!

I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER––Opening this Friday, August 26th (Limited Release)–– starring the always excellent CHRISTOPHER LLOYD and new comer MAX RECORDS!

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by JOHN CLEAVER, the film is so far rating at 71% with critics on RottenTomatoes.com. Trailer looks good––very indie flick with great potential!

Enjoy the I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQBnWWWU-gU

 

 

COMING SEPTEMBER 30th!

A CATCH IN TIME: A Novella by Christopher Alan Broadstone

For more info: http://www.blackCABproductions.com

ALL NEW from Feast Frenzy @ The Horror Food Network!

SPICY SOUTHERN PERMINTO CHEESE SANDWICH!  First make the pimento cheese––in a large mixing bowl add: 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 4oz fat-free cream cheese, ¼ cup Smart Balance Omega-3 mayo, 1/8tsp garlic powder, 1/8tsp onion powder, 1 fresh jalapeno pepper (finely diced), 2oz diced pimentos, ground black pepper (to taste), and Frank's Red Hot Cayenne Pepper Sauce Xtra Hot (to taste).  With a spoon, mix all together thoroughly and place in the fridge overnight to chill and allow the flavors to settle.

Lightly toast 2-slices of 40-calorie Nature's Harvest Multi-grain bread, spread on a healthy layer of the Spicy Southern Pimento Cheese and top with red onion and a slice of cucumber drizzled with ground black pepper & cayenne pepper.  On the side: one Claussen dill pickle wedge (sprinkled with basil), two slices of cucumber (sprinkled with 50/50 salt & cayenne pepper), green olives, and Lightly Salted Fritos drizzled with paprika.  This was an outstanding homemade deli lunch.  Delicious!

COMING LATE SEPTEMBER!

A CATCH IN TIME––

A Novella by Christopher Alan Broadstone

At the ANTHROPOID screening yesterday, I saw the trailer for DENIAL (releasing this September 30th), starring RACHEL WEISZ. Looks frustratingly intense.

"Based on the book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier, Denial recounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s (Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, in cases of libel, the burden of proof is on the accused, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team, led by Richard Rampton (Tom Wilkinson), to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred."

Enjoy the DENIAL trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH7ktvUWaYo

********** 

Adding to the frenzy of WWII films racing out of Hollywood this year, is the MEL GIBSON directed epic HACKSAW RIDGE (starring ANDREW GARFIELD, VINCE VAUGHN, SAM WORTHINGTON, et al).  The film releases this November 4th.

Looks like MEL is bucking for another Best Director Oscar. As well, the battle sequences do look intense and shot with outstanding in-your-face presence.

"The film is based on the true story about US Army medic Desmond T. Doss, a Seventh-Day Adventist conscientious objector who refused to bear arms, yet was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman for single-handedly saving the lives of over 75 of his comrades while under constant enemy fire during the brutal Battle of Okinawa in World War II."

Enjoy the HACKSAW RIDGE trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sslCRVx7nPQ

 

 

 

 

Looking forward to this one too! Coming this November 23rd, ALLIED (starring BRAD PITT, MARION COTILLARD) and directed by ROBERT ZEMECKIS.

Trailer looks good. Enjoy it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22PY59GHQgU

Ok, folks, I saw ANTHROPOID this morning and I do not understand the boohoo-ing from many critics. I thought this film was VERY well done!


Excellent acting, very well researched, and expertly shot. I loved the film grain look and the desaturated color. Beautiful!


As for the story––in two hours you can't go into the explicit details of every element and personage involved with Operation Anthropoid, but all the main bases and players were covered extremely well. The two assassins were of great focus on an emotional level, their fears, anxieties, loss, trauma, and ultimate sacrifice shined through with intensity.
 

I never found the film to be slow. It started with a low boil then progressed steadily to a rapid boil and then a violent boiling over. The film was not sentimental, but very passionate. I was biting back a few tears of horror and anger by the end. You talk about finding yourself between a rock and a hard place, well...these men were caught between the rock of a likely suicide mission and the diamond hard Nazi regime. No escape, except into bloody torture at the hands of the merciless Gestapo.
 

I highly recommend ANTHROPOID to anyone interested in World War II, as well as those who are not familiar with the amazing and tragic story of the assassins who brought down The Butcher of Prague, The Hangman, the human devil that was SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei REINHARD HEYDRICH.

Enjoy the extended ANTHROPOID trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS1HckizreE

Enjoy a bit of OPERATION ANTHROPOID info: http://time.com/44…/operation-anthropoid-historical-adviser/

ALL NEW from Feast Frenzy @ The Horror Food Network!

Today was an experiment.  The outcome?  HABANERO BEEF & BLACK BEAN SOFT TACOS and FRESH PICO de GALLO!

First up, the Pico de Gallo: chop two hot-house tomatoes & white onions (eyeball an equal amount to tomatoes) and put in a mixing bowl.  Next, add two diced Serrano peppers and diced cilantro (to taste), then spice with garlic powder, 50/50 salt, ground black pepper, the juice of one fresh lime, a tablespoon of lemon juice, and a bit of Tabasco Sauce (to taste).  Mix thoroughly and pop into the fridge to chill.

The taco ingredients: Brown 93% lean ground beef in a skillet and spice with a healthy dose of Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and one large finely diced Habanero pepper.  Heat one can of organic black beans in the microwave for 4 minutes or until hot.  On a NuWave Oven grill sliced green, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, all spiced with paprika.

Once all is ready: Warm two Ole Spinach & Herbs (50-calorie Extreme Wellness) Tortillas in the microwave and place on a taco holder (if you have one), add a layer of black beans, then the Habanero ground beef, next the grilled bell peppers (sliced into strips), and at last a layer of mixed-shredded Monterey Jack & sharp Cheddar cheese.  Top off with freshly grated Jalapeno peppers.  On the side: spoon the Pico de Gallo into a small bowl and add white tortilla chips.  Healthy and extremely delicious!  Keep some Tabasco Chipotle Sauce close if you want a little extra fire.

Well, well, well, ROB ZOMBIE is back with another horror vehicle for his wife SHERI MOON ZOMBIE. She is still lookin' good in this trailer for 31 (due out October 21st). And wow! MALCOLM McDOWELL, actor extraordinaire, is also among the cast list. Will this be a masterpiece, or will it be another ROB ZOMBIE film for people to bitch and moan about? Any predictions?

Enjoy the 31 trailer here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSvrJTk-UmE

Well, I saw SUICIDE SQUAD this morning and...all the naysayer reviewers can go choke on their own poo! I really enjoyed it!

Is it a perfect film? Maybe not, but it's a long way from being a bad one (just my opinion). JARED LETO was excellent as THE JOKER, and MARGOT ROBBIE was utterly delicious as HARLEY QUINN––naughty, psycho-girl, baby-doll talk and all (however, her New York accent dropped off a bit here and there. But who cares with a body and face like hers––I didn't care––bring on more HARLEY Q.!)

SUICIDE QUAD overall is a fun, over-the-top ride, often visually stunning––and yes, you do have to throw some plausibility to the wind and just buy into all the trappings, otherwise just don't go.
Some reviewers have complained about the characters having no depth, but I disagree. I liked all of the anti-hero backstories and how some opened the film while others came to light throughout. And still other fleshed out as the movie progressed.

So! If you like dark, visually exciting (great editing), anti-hero shoot-em up, beat-em-up, slice-em-up comic book films with a little grim humor, then I think SUICIDE SQUAD will make you smile, at the least. But don't expect to see next year's Oscar Best Picture winner, just expect to have a fun romp and some popcorn.

Enjoy the multi-trailer pack here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtU5rX4xCcU