Sylvester - Living Proof

Beyond category.   Double LP recorded at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, on 03/11/1979.  Sylvester  - the Queen of Disco?  Labels are misleading.  This is a performance.  No lip-synching, no backing tracks -- full string orchestra and backing band.  Far from one-dimensional this captures his re-workings of the Beatles, Leon Russell, Billie Holiday, Thelma Houston, and Allen Toussaint songs.   It's an honest performance that doesn't hold back.  

Personnel: Sylvester (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer); Eric Robinson (vocals, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals); Tip Wirrick, Ralph Wash (guitar); Randall Pratt (harp); Leslie Drayton (strings, horns); Terry Adams , Kathy Walters, Barbara Riccardi, Marjorie Prescott, Adrienne Blackshere, Mary Anne Meredith, Ellen Dessier, William Pyncron, Stephen Gehl, Serban Rusu, Melinda Wagner, Emily VanValkenburgh, Melinda Ross, Julianne Feldman, India Cooke, Carl Pedersen, Patrice Anderson, Kenneth Harrison, Nathan Rubin, Edward Bogas, John Tenney (strings); Marc Baum, Jay Stolmac (flute, saxophone); Mel Martin (baritone saxophone); Ross Wilson (trumpet, trombone); Frederick Berry, Allen Smith, Dean Boysen (trumpet); David Sprunk (French horn); Dan Reagan, Julian Priester, Wayne Wallace (trombone); Michael Finden (keyboards); Patrick Cowley (synthesizer); Kelvin Dixon (drums); Rick Kvistad (timpani); David Frazier, Gus Anthony Flores (percussion); Izora Rhodes, Sharon Hymes, Jeanie Tracy, Martha Wash (background vocals).

Tracklist
Overture
Body strong
Black birds
Medley - Could it be Magic /A Song for You
Happiness
Loverman
Sharing something...
You are my Friend
Dance Disco Heat
You Make Me Feel Mighty Real
Can't stop Dancing
In my Fantasy
Can't stop...(reprise)

The last three songs are not included in the CD reissue.

Barry Manilow and Leon Russell (but Donny made it his).   Soaring and soulful....Izadora Rhodes and Martha Wash make this  - how they sing around Sylvester turns this into a beautiful expression of soul.  I feel this. 
 
Medley - Could It Be Magic/A Song for You

 

Arthur Blythe - Lenox Avenue Breakdown

1979 - Columbia release.  One of the coolest album covers of all time.  Why important....the most popular year for disco was 1979 - disco was everywhere and at the top of the charts.  Discofied theme songs and intros were commonplace on American television.  Who would think a jazz masterpiece would be recorded '79?  

This might be the last of the jazz classics.  This is also the last of the modern classics that didn't have a Marsalis name attached to it (written with tongue in cheek).  I've never been a huge fan of the alto saxaphone.   Blythe and Bartz are the two exceptions.....the more interesting question is where does the tuba fit into jazz.  And when has "Blood" Ulmer sounded so in the groove yet restrained?  No doubt that Blythe is impressive but the team of players working together carry the day.  Great example of a septet going off in a disciplined way. 

Personnel: Arthur Blythe (alto saxophone); James Blood Ulmer, Cecil McBee (guitar); James Newton (flute); Bob Stewart (tuba); Jack DeJohnette (drums); Guilherme Franco (percussion).

Tracklist
Down San Diego Way
Lenox Avenue Breakdown
Slidin' Through
Odessa

There is nothing I can say that can't be better said by listening to this composition. Bass parts carried by a tuba....Steady one drop rhythm....Boom ba boom. And James Newton channeling Roland Kirk.  Awesome.

Lenox Avenue Breakdown

Airto Moreira - Fingers

I never thought the cuica could be funky until I heard this.  Airto - master percussionist, sideman extraordinaire....king of the talking drum.  CTI release, 1973.  Creed Taylor with production credits.  Small ensemble with large sound.

Personnel: Flora Purim on percussion and vocals; Airto Moreira on percussion and vocals; David Amaro on guitar; Hugo Fattoruso on keyboards and harmonica; Jorge Fattoruso on drums; and Ringo Thielmann on electric bass.

Tracklist

Fingers

Romance of Death
Merry-Go-Round
Wind Chant
Parana
San Francisco River
Tombo in 74

When you mix Brazilian traditional instruments with rock, funk, and jazz this is what you get.  The tone of the cuica carries this...I don't think I've heard it played like this anywhere else.

Fingers

Les McCann - Hustle to Survive

The defination of soul jazz.  Hustle To Survive (1975, Atlantic).  McCann was past the glory days of Swiss Movement but this is a nice record.  Sometimes when you peak early (Swiss Movement and Layers), this kind of record becomes more of the reality.....got to hustle to survive.  This is that attempt to recapture that earlier magic.  There are some fantastic moments here...Herbie Hancock plays his ass off.  Love McCann's voice.

Personnel: Les McCann (vocals, strings, Clavinet, keyboards, synthesizer); Shiela Raye (vocals, percussion); Miroslaw Kudykowski (guitar, organ); Herbie Hancock (piano); Jimmy Rowser (bass guitar); Harold Davis (percussion).

Tracklist
Us
Changing Seasons
Got to Hustle to Survive
Butterflies/Everytime I See a Butterfly
Says Who Says What?
Will We Ever Find Our Fathers
Well, Cuss My Daddy
Why Is Now
Let Your Learning Be Your Eyes

Us is a burner....pure and simple.
Us
 

Bernie Worrell - All the Woo in the World

"I talk by playing, not by words." - Bernie Worrell

My argument: George Clinton is a musical promoter par excellence with a hell of an ear.  This is not to downplay his significance. But the innovation within Funkedelic is Bernie Worrell....it was his work with synthesizers that made the P-Funk foundation and structured the sound..from arrangements to production.  This is the discipline of the sound.  Without it - this is a group that doesn't make it out of Detriot and sustain its success.  A classically trained pianist driving black rock.  As an artist, he is criminally overlooked.

All The Woo In The World was the debut album by Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell.   Released in 1978 by Arista Records. The P-Funk cast of muscians is present throughout the album.  Interesting to pair Bernie Worrell and Junie Morrison together...sparks fly.   History will judge this music. 

Tracklist
Woo Together
I'll Be With You
Hold On
Much Thrust
Happy To Have
Insurance Man For The Funk
Reprise: Much Thrust"

Personel: Bass - Billy Nelson , Rodney Curtis; Drums - Gary Mudbone Cooper , Jim Wright , Tyrone Lampkin: Guitar - Bootsy Collins , Catfish Collins , Eddie Hazel , Garry Shider , Glen Goins , Junie Morrison , Michael Hampton: Keyboards - Bernie Worrell: Lead Vocals - Bernie Worrell: Saxophone - Maceo Parker: Trombone - Fred Wesley; Trumpet - Richard Griffith , Rick Gardner
Vocals - Bootsy Collins , Brides Of Funkenstein , Garry Shider , George Clinton , Junie Morrison , Parlet.

Hold On is such a beautiful and complex song.  Written by George Clinton and Worrell. Worrell on lead vocals, Fred Wesley's great trombone intro and sustained melody, and Junie Morrison on keyboard.  Etheral.   "I'll be your co-signer".

Hold On

Defunkt - Defunkt

1980 release.  "Virtuosity in search of a concept"....think of a merging of  punk, jazz and dance music.  This is the group that jump started the underground New York funk music scene (Talking Heads, etc.). Influential without a doubt.  Led by trumpet player Joseph Bowie -- the son of a St. Louis-based music teacher, the brother of big band arranger Byron Bowie, and late trumpet player of the Art Ensemble of Chicago's Lester Bowie. Album has the original version of "Strangling Me With Your Love" and a version of Chic's "In the Good Times".  Their second album Thermo Nuclear Sweat featured Vernon Reid on guitar. 

This is comment from a cat named Rickey Vincent that lays it out for me:

"If you listen to that early 80's Miles Davis, where he tries to get into some spastic funk/jazz with a nasty edge, and basically leaves you unsatisfied...DEFUNKT gets you all the way there...What Miles was trying to do, Defunkt was doing...What Kelvynator was trying to do, Defunkt had it down...I have an Ornette Coleman album from around 1980, with a stanky electric bass guitarist underneath Ornette's horn...seriously trippy funk...for my money, even Ornette was working toward what Defunkt had mastered..."

Personnel: Backing Vocals - Clarice Taylor, Janos Gat (tracks: A4) , Michael Riesman, Backing Vocals, Percussion [Additional] - Charles Bobo Shaw, Bass - Melvin Gibbs, Drums - Ronnie Burrage, Flute, Saxophone - Byron Bowie, Guitar - Kelvyn Bell , Martin Aubert, Keyboards - Martin Fischerm Trombone, Vocals - Joseph Bowie, Trumpet - Ted Daniel.

Tracklist
Make Them Dance
Strangling Me With Your Love
In The Good Times
Blues
Defunkt
Thermonuclear Sweat
Melvin's Tune
We All Dance Together

Hard rock, jazz...what is this?   Took skills to play this that's all I'm sayin.  Classic with the trippy flute battling with a guitar.
 
Melvin's Tune

Bernard Wright - Nard

The Master Rocker.  1981 - his first release.  Wright, was product of Jamaica, Queens' R&B/funk scene....contemporary of Tom Browne and Lenny White.  This is teenage funk - he was 16 when this came out.  Known as a jazz musician but the album is more R+B groove.  Several instrumentals.... the irony being a Jamaica, Queens homeboy ended up being the fuel and sampling product for the G-Funk hiphop era. 

Personnel: Bernard Wright, keys, vocals; Dave Grusin, Don Blackman, keys; Ronnie Miller, guitar, keys; Bobby Broom, Henry Grate Jr., guitar; Jimmy Owens, Al Flythe, Ed Jackson, horn section; Marcus Miller, Barry Johnson, Buster Williams, Steve Teele, bass; Charley Drayton, Dennis Chambers, Roy Haynes, Mike Flythe, Howard Grate, Buddy Williams, drums; Crusher Bennett, percussion.  Patti Austin and Luther Vandross are credited as background vocals on the album.

Tracklist
Master Rocker
Firebolt Hustle
Haboglabotribin'
Spinnin'
Just Chillin' Out
Bread Sandwiches
Music Is The Key
We're Just The Band
Solar

Wright, Grusin and Blackman go off on the keys.....always loved the fender rhodes. 

Haboglabotribin'

 
 
 

Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Blacknuss

1971 Atlantic. This isn't a jazz album.   This is a soul album.  Kirk is serious  - it's an album of mostly interpretations of pop songs but this is not a commercial pop jazz album.  Not covers......interpretations.  Kirk is making a point and getting to the roots of jazz.  The counter argument, at the time of its release, was this was too "populist" a recording.  Too "Pop". The argument is silly.  This is a workout..growls, chants, wild energy....the first time I heard this it stopped me in my tracks. 

Personnel: Rahsaan Roland Kirk (vocals, guitar, flute, stritch, manzello, tenor saxophone, trumpet, gong); Cissy Houston, Princess Patience Burton (vocals); Cornell Dupree, Keith Loving, Billy Butler (guitar); Charles McGhee (trumpet); Dick Griffin (trombone); Richard Tee, Sonelius Smith (piano); Mickey Tucker (organ); Khalil Mhrdi, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums); Arthur Jenkins, Jr., Arthur Jenkins , Richard Landrum (congas); Joe Habad Texidor (percussion).

Tracklist
Ain't No Sunshine
What's Goin' On 
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
I Love You Yes I Do
My Girl
Which Way Is It Going
One Nation
Never Can Say Goodbye
Old Rugged Cross
Make It With You
Blacknuss

Title track - a blues jam with vocals by Kirk and Cissy Houston and Sonelius Smith on piano....check his runs.  "Jump up and down on it!"

Blacknuss

Eddie Palmieri - Live at Sing Sing Volume 2

For all mankind, there should be never no walls, never no fears, only one thing in life: liberty in the coming years.  Paquito Navarro

Set two of a remarkable live album featuring Palmieri and Harlem River Drive.  Recorded live in 1971 at Ossining...up the river.....Sing Sing.  Volume 1 is the more readily availible release (the cover is white).  Both sets show a fearless bandleader and the perfect storm of sound, audience, and content.  This is salsa with swagger.  Just a massive sound. 

Personnel: Eddie Palmieri - Leader, Piano, Charlie Palmieri - Organ, Ronnie Cuber - Saxophone, Cornell Dupree - Guitar, Joe Gaines - M.C., Andy Gonzalez - Bass, Ismael Quintana - Vocals, Choir, Chorus, Raymond Maldonado - Trumpet, Nicky Marrero - Bongos, Charlie Santiago - Timbales, Ray Romero - Conga, Felipe Luciano - Talking, Jimmy Norman - Vocals, Harlem River Drive Singers with Lorene Hanchard - Vocals, Alvin Taylor - Vocals, Izzy Sanabria - Design, Harry Viggiano - Guitar, Jerry González - Percussion, Hank Anderson - Guitar (Bass), José Papo Rodríguez - Trombone, Arturo Campa - Vocals & Chorus, Arturo Franquiz - Vocals & Chorus

Tracklist

Introduction/Vamonos Pal Monte/Calle de la Vera Cruz/Mi Mujer
Introduction/Somebody's Sons/Un Rifle Oracion/Diecisiete Punto Uno
Mi Mujer Espiritual
Somebody's Sons
Un Rifle Oracion
Diecisiete Punto Uno

This is some heavy, heavy, heavy salsa/fusion/soul. Jimmy Norman's voice cuts deep.  Piercing song.  The sound of the Barrio transported to Sing Sing.  With this music, there is hope.  "Just hold on.  One day it will be alright.....everyone got to realize that you are still a man."

Somebody's Sons, Un Rifle Oracion, Diecisiete Punto Uno

 
 

La Clave - La Clave

The Clave is the rhythmic pattern that forms the basis of Latin music....it is considered the key...the identity...... the root..... the "soul" of the music. It is also the name of the instrument used to create that rhythmic sound and is comprised of two sticks that are struck together to get a cracking sound.

La Clave was a '70s Latin funk ensemble, based in San Francisco, CA, led by percussionist Benny Velarde.   The band released only one album on Verve in 1973 and reissued by Dusty Groove - it is a monster.  Incredibly tight with Latin funk versions of Donny Hathaway's “The Ghetto”, Lonnie Smith's “Move Your Hand”, and Cal Tjader's “Soul Sauce”. The album remains shrouded in mystery...this was not Verve's "sweet spot".  It should have been lost but now it's legacy is of a record with a host of funky latin touches and credits that are part of oral history. 

Personnel

Al Zulaica - Piano, Benny Velarde - Leader, Timbales, Gabriel Rondon - Guitar, Jerry Gilmor - Sax (Baritone), Joe Ellin - Trumpet, Johnny Nelson - Vocals, Lalo Schifrin - Keyboards, Luiz Miranda - Conga, Martin Fierro - Sax (Tenor), Pat O'Hara - Trombone, Tito Garcia - Vocals, Willie Colón - Bass, Willie Colón - Guitar

Tracklist

Sally Go Round The Roses

Angels Of Mercy
Move Your Hand
Latin Slide
Who You Fooling
The Ghetto
Road Runner
Soul Sauce
Baila Mi Guaguancò
Cocoa Leaf

Move Your Hand...This is just some slowed down, slinky, shit. The instrumentation is similar to the original (instruments are virtually the same) but this just seems to simmer.  It's a great take on a hell of song.

Move Your Hand

Gary Bartz - The Shadow Do!

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?... ...The Shadow Do"

Those Mizell Brothers...back in the mix.  This time with Alto saxophonist Gary Bartz.  Prestige, 1975. This is full collaboration...doing a bit more of the jazz than a usual Mizell produced set.  There is edge to this and focus.  I'm not a fan of the alto sax but with this combination, it works. Airy with bottom.  Purist will argue this isn't straight jazz.  They may be right...this is deep groove classic.

Personnel:

Backing Vocals, Producer - Fonce Mizell

Bass - Michael Henderson

Congas, Percussion - Mtume

Drums, Synthesizer - Howard King

Guitar - Reggie Lucas

Piano, Clavinet, Synthesizer - Hubert Eaves

Saxophone [Alto, Soprano], Synthesizer, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Co-producer, Other [Cover Concept, Title] - Gary Bartz

Synthesizer, Backing Vocals, Producer - Larry Mizell

Tracklist

Winding Roads

Mother Nature
Love Tones
Gentle Smiles (Saxy)
Make Me Feel Better
Sea Gypsy
For My Baby
Incident

Gentle Smiles.  Beyond the classic Tribe Called Quest sample, it is a standout song, thanks to the bottom provided by bassist Michael Henderson.  It is my favorite song on the album.  Beats don't stop...play saxy for me.

Gentle Smiles (Saxy)

Bobbi Humphrey - Fancy Dancer

When I think of Bobbi Humphrey, I have to think of the Mizell brothers. I love her flute but I appreciate it so much more within this partnership.   They had three collaborations (Black and Blues, Satin Doll and Fancy Dancer).  They blended a combination of funk, soul, and jazz - touches that we take for granted.  Groundbreaking at the time.  This is not smooth jazz.  It is subtle and focused on the groove.

Fancy Dancer is a 1975 Blue Note release.  Critics can call this elevator music  - you need to view this recording within the context of the trilogy.  This is the last piece of the puzzle...indulgent but at moments effortless.  Bobbi's playing holds it together.  Tight, soulful.....Fusion.

Personnel: Arranged By [Background Vocal Arrangements] - Fonce Mizell , Larry Mizell; Bass - Chuck Rainey; Clavinet, Synthesizer [Solina], Trumpet - Fonce Mizell; Congas - Mayuto Correa; Drums - Harvey Mason; Flute, Vocals - Bobbi Humphrey; Guitar - Craig McMullen , John Rowin; Harp - Dorothy Ashby; Marimba, Vibraphone - Roger Glenn; Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Clavinet - Skip Scarborough; Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Arp] - Jerry Peters; Piano, Synthesizer [Solina, Arp], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] - Larry Mizell; Saxophone [Tenor] - Tyree Glenn, Jr.; Trombone - Julian Priester; Trumpet - Oscar Brashear; Vocals - Augie Rey , Bobbi Humphrey , Fonce Mizell , Jesse Acuna , Katherine Lyra , Larry Mizell , Rosario Davila , Sónia Tavares

Track List
Uno Esta
The Trip
You Make Me Feel So Good
Fancy Dancer
Mestizo Eyes
Sweeter Than Sugar
Please Set Me At Ease

As songs go on this release, The Trip sets it off.  Love the spacy introduction.  It is the perfect defination of the Humphrey/Mizell Brothers partnership.  Her flute floats away..above the groove.

The Trip

Dusty Springfield - A Brand New Me

Whitney, Celine, and Mariah have killed pop female vocals...they have done more damage than the autotune.   Vocal riffs, meaningless runs, shouting....where's the understanding of the lyric, the emotional control?  

Dusty Springfield could interprete a song.  Dusty in Memphis stands out as one of the all time great soul recordings.  Sacrilage to suggest anything else.  But how I love what she did next.  A Brand New Me is her sixth studio album, released on the Atlantic Records label in January 1970 and recorded at the Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.  It is the only one of Springfield's albums that was ever recorded featuring songs by the same production team for a whole album. Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell had a hand, with Dusty, in creating a small masterpeice.

Personnel

Dusty Springfield - vocals; Ugene Dozier - piano, producer; Roland Chambers - guitar, arranger, producer; Vince Montana - background vocals, vibraphone; Norman Harris - guitar; Ronnie Baker - bass; Earl Young - drums; The Sweethearts of Sigma - background vocals; Don Renaldo & His String Section - strings; and Sam Reed & His Horn Section - horns.

Track List

Lost

Bad Case of the Blues
Never Love Again
Let Me in Your Way
Let's Get Together Soon
Brand New Me
Joe
Silly, Silly Fool
The Star of My Show
Let's Talk It Over

Let Me Get in Your Way is a beautiful song that shows off what was to become the Philly Sound.  Fine, funky and muted.  Dusty sings over the accent of a cymbal and strings.   It's a song that rises and rises and rises...but ever staying cool. 

Let me Get in Your Way

Roland Kirk - Volunteered Slavery

Columbus, Ohio jazz legend.  This was recorded before he was Rahsaan...I'll make the argument that Kirk played jazz, blues, soul, and funk.  Yes, he was multi-instrumentalist who laid the foundation for the crossover jazz with a series of albums.  Inflated Tear in 1967, Left and Right in 1968, Volunteered Slavery in 1969...culimating in Blacknuss in 1971.

Blacknuss gets the critical acclaim but I'm partial to Volunteered Slavery, 1969 (Atlantic).  One half-studio, one half-live recording at the 1968 Newport Jazz Festival.  The live cuts explode.  Wild, controlled...absolutly nothing like it.   This is a jazz classic that grooves hard.  Probably the best interpretation of Coltrane on record as well. 

Personnel: Ron Burton, Vernon Martin, Jimmy Hopps and Joe Habad Texidor, Charles McGhee, Dick Griffith, Sonny Brown, Charles Crosby and the Roland Kirk Spirit Choir.

One Ton is the from the Newport set.  It is a jam-blues.  Those who like Jethro Tull or Bobbi Humphrey need to hear this.  I swear he beatboxes.....through his nose.  Nobody soloed like Kirk.

One Ton
 

 

Syreeta - Syreeta

Self-titled album from Syreeta Wright. 1972 MoWest.  Muse and collaborator of Stevie Wonder.  Stevie is a musical genius...but even geniuses have collaborators that help them lift the bar.  This album gives us a glimpse of the beginning of his 70's renaissance.  Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions and Fulfillingness' First Finale. You want to understand that output....it starts here. 

Backing Vocals - Gloria Barley (tracks: A1, A3, B2) , James Gilstrap* (tracks: A1, A3, B2) , Lani Groves (tracks: A1, A3, B2) , Linda Tucker (tracks: A1, A3, B2) , Bass - Scott Edwards (2) (tracks: A1 to A4, B2 to B5) Drums - Keith Copeland (tracks: A1 to A4, B2 to B5), Guitar - Buzzy Feiton* (tracks: A1 to A4, B2 to B5), Instruments [All Other Instruments By] - Stevie Wonder, Producer - Stevie Wonder, Strings - Julian Gaillard Orchestra.

The album has high moments....the lyrics probably more than her voice for me that stand out.  Black Maybe...a standout.  Covered by Gary Bartz and his Ntu Troop, this is a powerful song.  Her voice adds the right emotional touch....spot on.

Black Maybe

Melvin Van Peebles - What the Fuck You Mean I Can't Sing?

What the Fuck You Mean I Can't Sing?  Second release by Melvin Van Peebles - hustler, artist, musician, man's man.....The album falls in between Bre'r Soul and  Sweet Sweetback's Badassss Song (did I get all the s'?). This is just funky and cool.  Nasty satire creeps through the album.  But the music hits as hard as the messages.  This is spoken word played over a groove.  Do not let it fool you, there is attention paid to the groove.  There is this thing called Free Jazz - is this Free Soul?

My Love Belongs to You is a blues...an anti-love song - "You aint never drew a faithful breath in your life....and I know it."   It closes the album and slowly builds to climax.  From the opening strings to the guitar distortion wah wah at close....then silence.  "I'm a MAN women".   Melvin gets the last word.

My Love Belongs to You

Curtis Mayfield - Short Eyes

"In here's just like leaving the homeland baby"

To judge this release fairly you need to look at what Curtis' comtemporaries were doing in 1977.  Disco took the soul out of James Brown, Stax, Motown....This may stand out as the last of the soul soundtracks of the seventies that hit its mark although it missed its audience.  You can feel Mayfield through every song.  Wah wah guitar, falsetto, and lyrics that break your heart and tell a story.

I saw the movie...unmemorable.  I remember the soundtrack from the opening track Do Do Wap is Strong in here to the final close.  Back Against the Wall is a song that broke my heart - second track - I think the heart of the movie.  Bleak lyics set against lush arrangements and strings.   Absolutely beautiful until you listen to the lyrics and hear the dispair.  Chilling and another example of Mayfield's greatness.  The albums been re-released, so I expect it to grow in popularity.  Buy it.

Back Against the Wall

Esther Phillips - Burnin' (Live at Freddie Jett's Pied Piper Club, L.A.).

I am driving early this morning to meet a friend...8 inches of snow on the roads. Quiet, beautiful, sublime and I'm playing this. Esther Phillips is a complicated singer and this may be arguably her finest work. I don't buy that her voice is an acquired taste....you just have to listen.

This, from her transition album Burnin' (Live at Freddie Jett's Pied Piper Club, L.A.). Released  1970 on Atlantic, prior to her CTI/Kudo relationship...its safe to say her talent had been written off.  She was singing her way into obscurity. However - we have this album and this remarkable transition. The transition from talented but troubled teen singer and adult to an artist.   Few ever make that transition. Fewer still with the urgency of these performances. 

Personnel includes: Cornell Dupree (electric guitar); Jack Wilson (electric and acoustic piano); Richard Tee and Paul Griffin (organ); Chuck Rainey (fender bass); and Donald Bailey (drums).  Arrangements by King Curtis - he's on tenor sax (overdub session).  Joe Gentle on the flute (overdub session).

The track that sets the tone is And I love him (Lennon/McCartney song...classic Beatles).  From her opening intro over guitar and flute that jumps right into the melody.  It floats.  As she says, "I do most of my love songs for lovers becuase I love to love".   Framing the song not unlike Dinah Washington.  I can listen to this all day. 

And I Love Him (Live)

Roy Ayers - He's Coming

If Jesus was a superhero, his theme song would come from this album.  Ayers starting his creative run.  1971, Verve.  This is spiritual album....intense message....popular belief the album is inspired, at least in part, by the then popular musical JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.  First glimpse for me of the creative juices that would propel Ubiquity.  

Personnel: Harry Whitaker (vocals, electric piano, organ); Roy Ayers (vocals, organ, vibraphone); Samuel Brown (guitar); Selwart Clarke (strings); Sonny Fortune (flute, soprano saxophone); John Williams (bass instrument); Billy Cobham (drums, percussion); David Lee Jr. (drums); Jumma Santos (conga drum); Carol Smiley, Victoria Hospedale, Gloria Jones (background vocals).

Henry Whittaker co-arranges.  First cut from He's Coming release,  He's a Superstar.   Love how the bass paces the song...and Fortune's flute keeps lifting up the vocal.  You can still hear his bop background....driving this.  "We must believe in something or soon it will be too late".

He's a Superstar

James Mason - Rhythm of Life

This is a lost classic.  On the sleeve notes James Mason writes:

"For making the music that has inspired and shaped my musical values over the years, SPECIAL THANKS to The Crusaders, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Joseph Zawinul, Stevie Wonder, The Pointer Sisters and Stanley Clarke. And for the learning experience working as a member of his band afforded me, THANK YOU to Roy Ayers."  

That might say it all.  Guitarist/keyboardist James Mason was a member of Roy Ayers' camp, making his most prominent appearance on the 1977 LP Lifeline  - "Running Away" is his showcase cut. That same year, he recorded this gem, his debut solo album, Rhythm of Life, for the tiny New York independent label Chiaroscuro. It sounds like it could have been made in the 90's. 

Personnel: Backing Vocals - Mbewe Ninoska Escobar; Bass - Gene Torres; Congas - Mustafa Ahmed; Drums - Narada Michael Walden (tracks: A1 to B1, B3, B5); Engineer - Bruce Gerstein , Fred Miller (2); Guitar, Piano, Keyboards [Fender Rhodes, ARP Odyssesy, Poly-Moog, ARP String Ensemble; Producer, Arranged By - James Mason;  Saxophone - Justo Almario;  Acoustic Piano on Mbewe and Solo on Hey Hey - Philip Woo; Vocals - Clarice Taylor

Free.  The opening drum break keeps this flow smooth. Simple and nice. 

Free

Amnesty - Free Your Mind

In 1973, if George Clinton lived in Indianapolis......Funkadelic might have sounded like this.  The music is recorded between September 1973 and November 1973.  Previously unreleased.  The Funkadelic influence is here...but so is Earth, Wind, and Fire, Chicago (CTA version) - there is a prog rock feel to this - suprising political edge as well.  These brothers eyes were open and their music reflected this.

The music follows the Funkadelic formula....spot on soul voices, gospel call and response, and harmony matched with rock guitars and brass. 
Personnel: James "Red" Massie - bass; Kirk Alexander  - drums; James "Gino" Johnson - saxophone; Herman Walker - trumpet, vocals; Calvin Williams - guitar, vocals; Raphael Barnes - percussion; Jospeh Trotter - vocals, keyboards, and percussion; Damon Malone - lead vocals and percussion.

Tracklist
Can I Help You?
Love Fades
Mister President
Free Your Mind
We Have Love
Lord Help Me
Three Cheers For My Baby
Trouble Will Remain
We've Come a Long Way
Liberty

Can I Help You? is the lead track on the release.  It captures the sound perfectly of the group...the influences just come out.  Wah Wah, horns, heavy bass, gospel vocals and harmonies. 

Can I Help You?

Ohio Players - Ecstacy

Junie Morrison.  Nuff said.  Third album by Dayton Ohio's finest on Westbound.   Third in the Trilogy (1973 Westbound  - I don't count Climax as part of the Trilogy) this is the album right before the commercial explosion....and right before Junie leaves the band.  Strong points but not the strongest.  But the music is straight forward.  Darker to me. I always thought Funky Worm was absurd - this release was the logical path.

Tracklist
Ecstasy
You And Me
Not So Sad And lonely
(I wanna Know) Do You Feel It?
Black Cat
Food Stamps Y’All
Spinning
Sleep Talk
Silly Billy
Short Change

Sleep Talk combines layers of organ, electric piano, bass and guitar....wah wah.....horn blasts and striking chords. You got me talking in my sleep baby...into my dreams you softly creep. Slinky, solid, sweaty, FUNK. You love is higher than the sky. Umm.

Sleep Talk

Harlem River Drive - Harlem River Drive

THE HARLEM RIVER DRIVE USED TO BE A HIGHWAY; CONCRETE SOLID, UNCHANGING. ITS FUNCTION WAS TO SKIRT HARLEM, AN AREA NO ONE WANTED TO REALLY SEE FOR VERY LONG. MOVE FAST ENOUGH AND YOU COULDN'T HEAR THE HUNGRY BABY CRYING. DRIVE FAST ENOUGH AND YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO SEE THE JUNKIES' PAINFUL FACES. THAT . . . WAS THE FIRST HARLEM RIVER DRIVE.

Fact check - This is not your Bobbi Humphrey's Harlem River Drive.  This was a super group (released in 1970 on Roulette) - latin and black cats who created a nasty combination of salsa, funk, soul, jazz, and fusion - Iverson style crossover.. When you mix styles, you create art. This album in many ways opened the possibilities of the music "merge"...see War or see any of the fusion groups that mixed styles successfully.  It started here. 

Eddie Palmieri is lead and producer.  Continuing the direction he'd started 1969, he put together a band of Latin, black and white musicians to synthesize salsa, rock and R&B. The players include Charlie Palmieri on organ, Andy Gonzalez on bass, Jimmy Norman on vocals, Cornell Dupree and Bernard Purdie on guitar and drums, and Felipe Luciano on poetry.

Tracklist
Harlem River Drive (Theme Song)
If (We Had Peace Today)
Idle Hands
Broken Home
Seeds of Life

Idle Hands moves me.  "Do you have the will?  Do you have the guts, now - to see a dream fulfilled?"  That's a Langston Hughes moment.  Eddie Palmieri and the sounds of the Barrio. Still resonates today.

Idle Hands