Friday, February 5, 2010
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
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
John Williams on Bass. Harry Whitaker doesn't get enough credit for his contributions to Roy's arrangements, IMO.
ReplyDelete