Friday, February 24, 2012

Deodato - Deodato 2


Year : 1973
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz, Latin
Style : Jazz Rock, Fusion

"Deodato 2" is a jazz-rock masterpiece by Brazilian jazz pianist and arranger Eumir Deodato. It features iconic musicians from the american fusion scene including John Tropea on electric guitar, Stanley Clarke on bass, Billy Cobham on drums and Brazilian percussionist Rubens Bassini, surrounded by solid horn section with Hubert Laws (flute), John Faddis (trumpet) or Wayne Andre (trombone) among others. The album opens of amazing variation on progressive rock standard "Nights In White Satin" by The Moody Blues, including an insane guitar solo by John Tropea at his top of his game. Other titles include the Deodato's classics "Skyscrapers" (with the virtuoso bass line by Stanley Clarke) & "Super Strut", a funky version of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue", and the wistful song "Pavane For A Dead Princess" from french classical composer Maurice Ravel

Herbie Hancock - Fat Albert Rotunda (Original Soundtrack)



Year : 1969
Label : Warner
Genre : Jazz, Stage & Screen
Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

First album after left Blue Note of Herbie Hancock where he turned to Soul Music and started his Jazz Funk style period. A part of this album was done for special episode Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert from the cartoon Fat Albert and Cosby Kids broadcast TV show. Ten years after, he recorded another version of Tell Me A Bedtime Story for Kimko Kasai on Butterfly. The formation features notable musicians as Joe Henderson, Buster Williams, Albert "Tootie" Heath or Garnett Brown. All selections written & arranged by Herbie Hancock and recorded at sudio Rudy Van Gelder.

Herbie Hancock_piano, electric piano
Buster Williams_bass
Albert "Tootie" Heath_drums
Joe Henderson_flute, tenor saxophone
Garnett Brown_trombone
Johnny Coles_trumpet, flugelhorn

01. Wiggle Waggle
02. Fat Mama
03. Tell Me A Bedtime Story
04. Oh! Oh! Here He Comes
05. Jessica
06. Fat Albert Rotunda
07. Lil' Brother

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Billy Cobham - A Funky Thide Of Sings


Year : 1975
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Jazz Rock

The drummer Billy Cobam recorded eight LPs for Atlantic between 1973 to 1977. Here, one of essential album representative of his Jazz Funk Fusion work featuring John Scofield and the Breckers Brothers who collaborated with Billy since the Dreams LP (1969). Most of the tracks demonstrate a high speed drumming technic with powerful solo of Cobham and huge level of Funk attitude. Titles include future Jazz Funk standard Some Skunk Funk by Randy Brecker, Sorcery by Keith Jarrett, Thinking Of You by Alex Blake and four composed by Billy Cobham as the exciting title track.

Billy Cobham_drums
Alex Blake_bass
John Scofield_guitar
Milcho Leviev_keyboards
Michael Brecker_saxophone
Randy Brecker_trumpet
Glenn Ferris_trombone

01. Panhandler
02. Sorcery
03. A Funky Thide Of Sings
04. Thinking Of You
05. Some Skunk Funk
06. Light At The End Of The Tunnel
07. A Funky Kind Of Thing
08. Moody Modes

Serge Gainsbourg - L'Homme A Tête De Chou

 
Year : 1976
Label : Philips
Genre : Rock
Style : Pop, Avant Garde

"L'Homme A Tête De Chou" is the fourth concept album of Serge Gainsbourg featuring british arranger/keyboardist, Alan Hawkshaw, bassist Brian Odgers, percussionist Jim Lawless from Appolo 100, guitarits Alan Parker, Judd Proctor, drummer Dougie Wright. As his previous albums ("Histoire De Mélodie Nelson", "Vu De L'exterieur" & "Rock Around The Bunker"), Serge Gainsbourg combines progressive rock with avant-garde and poetry including "Ma Lou Marilou" announcing his next reggae period, which was inspired by a passage from Ludwig Van Beethoven "Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, op. 57". All tracks composed by Serge Gainsbourg and arranged by Alan Hawkshaw, recorded at Mercury studios in London & Paris.

Ron Carter - Blues Farm


Year : 1973
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion
Website : Roncater.net

The first of five series albums recorded for CTI between 1973 and 1976 featuring some of the best New York studio musicians : the Carter's deep groove is reinforced by the presence Billy Cobham, Bob James, Richard Tee, Hubert Laws, Ralph MacDonald of a line-up formed around . Produced by Creed Taylor, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, arranged and conducted by Ron Carter. All compositions by Ron carter except Django (John Lewis).

Ron Carter_piccolo bass
Billy Cobham_drums
Hubert Laws_flute
Richard Tee & Bob James_electric piano
Ralph McDonald_percussions
Sam Brown & Gene Bertoncini_electric guitar

01. Blues Farm
02. A Small Ballad
03. Django
05. A Hymn For Him
06. Two-Beat Johnson
07. R2, M1

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Grant Green - Alive!


Year : 1970
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

Amazing live performance recorded at the Cliche Lounge in New Jersey by the emblematic jazz fusion guitarist. Grant Green continues his "funky" route, strongly influenced by James Brown, started from his previous album "Green Is Beautiful", with the same formation, namely, Idris Muhammad, Claude Bartee & Earl Neal Creque plus organist Ronnie Foster. Titles include crossover Jazz & powerful Soul grooves, the Funk classics "Let The Music Take Your Mind" & "Sookie, Sookie" (cover songs of Kool & the Gang and Don Covay), and the Lalo Schifrin's Down Here On The Ground sampled by ATCQ (Vibes And Stuff). 

Grant Green_guitar
Claude Bartee_saxophone
Earl Neal Creque & Ronnie Foster_organ
Idris Muhammad_drums
Joseph Armstrong_congas 
William Bivens_vibes

01. Let The Music Take Your Mind
02. Time To Remember
03. Sookie, Sookie
04. Down Here On The Ground

Deodato - Prelude


Year : 1973
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz, Latin
Style : Jazz Rock, Smooth Jazz

Originally recorded in 1972, "Prelude" is the first of three jazz rock albums (including a recording live) released on CTI by brazilian keyboardist Eumir Deodato. The album is best known for the iconic track "Also Sprach Zarathustra", an arrangement of the theme from "2001: A Space Odyssey", it-self first part of Richard Strauss' tone poem (Also Sprach Zarathustra op.30). "Prelude" is the most successful recording for Deodato and CTI Records, a great source of inspiration for many future jazz fusion musicians in particular in the latin funk style. It features best of the best CTI session musicians such as Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham, Airto Moreira, Ray Barretto, John Tropea and Hubert Laws. Titles also include "Baubles, Bangles And Beats" exctract from the B'Way Show Kismet, "Prelude To Afternoon Of A Faun" by orchestral music french composer Claude Debussy and "September 13" by Cobham & Deodato.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Mongo Santamaria - Mongo' 70


Year :
1970
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Afro-Cuban Jazz

Mongo Santamaria was a popular session latin jazz percussionist who played in the fifties with the greatest Tito Puente or Cal Tjader among others. "Mongo' 70" is a crossover jazz album including latin grooves and pop/funk beats recorded with collaboration of pianist/arranger Earl Neal Creque from Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers. Titles include the killer funk "March Of The Panther" composed by Sonny Henry, "Dedicated To Love" by John Hart,  the Afro-Cuban "Abolo Criollo", the killer pop "Yesterday's Tomorrow" & "Mo' Do" featuring guitarist Eric Gale, and six original compositions by E. N. Creque (whose "Windjammer", a variation of "The Windjammer" originally composed for Grant Green). Mongo is supported by a trio of percussionists formed by Julio Colazzo, Osvaldo Martinez & Pelayo Diaz.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Marcos Valle - Samba '68


Year : 1968
Label : Verve
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova

A nice selection of catchy Bossa Nova songs originally recorded in 1967 by one of the most iconic Brazilian jazz pianist. Released for an international audiance including english lyrics, "Samba '68" is a cover album of original Valle's songs previously released in Brazil and composed with his brother Paulo Sérgio Valle, his only recording for the jazz label "Verve". It feature his wife Anamaria on vocals, Claudio Slon on drums, Walter Wanderley on organ and Eumir Deodato in charge of arrangements, all supported by a strings ensemble. Titles include two of the biggest Valle's hits, the Bossa Nova standards "So Nice (Summer Samba)" & "Crickets Sing For Anamaria", originally known as "Samba De Verão" (1964) and "Os Grilos" (1967). All tracks arranged by Eumir Deodato.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Yoshio Suzuki - Friends


Year : 1973
Label : CBS
Genre : Jazz
Style : Hard Bop, Modal

The debut album as a leader by Yoshio Suzuki featuring saxophonist Kohsuke Mine, pianist Takehiro Honda, drummer Hiroshi Murakami & special guest flutist Hideo Miyata. "Friends" is an essential japanese jazz masterpiece ranging from Hard Bop (The Past, K'S Waltz) to Modal jazz (Burning Point) passing by Bossa Nova (Samba De Chico), it includes only Suzuki's own compositions. Before to settle in New York in 1973, Yoshio was sideman for Sadao WatanabeTakehiro Honda from 1969 to 1973, played for Masabumi Kikuchi, Yoshiaki Masuo (24 & Winds Of Barcelona) and Kimiko Kasai (What's New & Satin Doll). In US, he played alongside Stan Getz as his regular bassist, Sonny Rollins, Lee Konitz, Chet Baker and joined the famous Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers. During 1999 to 2001, he was member of the Yuji Ohno Trio on the first three albums from the LUPIN THE THIRD [JAZZ] serie. 


Walter Wanderley - Rain Forrest


Year :
1966
Label : Verve
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova

Walter Wanderley was the most famous brazilian organist and well known for his distinctive staccato play including the Hammond B3 use. "Rain Forest" is the first of three albums serie recorded for Verve recorded at Rudy Van Gelder studio including duet album with Astrud Gilberto "A Certain Smile A Certain Sadness". It includes only instrumental songs, the hits that made famous Bossa Nova in the world from Antonio Carlos Jobim (The Great Love, Song Of The Jet), Marcos Valle (Summer Samba) or Jobim/Vincius De Moraes (The Girl From Ipanema). It features Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Bobby Rosengarden on percussion, Joe Grimm on flute & Urbie Green on trombone.

Lou Donaldson - Midnight Creeper


Year : 1968
Label : Blue Note
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz

In the continuity of Mr. Shing-A-Ling and the famous Alligator Boogaloo, Midnight Creeper embraced again the Funk style. Lou Donaldson Quintet featuring Blue Mitchell, Lonnie Smith, George Benson and Idris Muhammad where Lonnie adds his contribution (he co-written the title track with Lou) and George show us his great guitar skill in a mix up of Hard Bop improvisations & Soul Jazz served by funky arrangements. Titles include all compositions of Lou Donaldson except Love Power by Teddy Van, Bag of Jewels by Lonnie Liston Smith (the other jazz organist) & Dapper Dan by Harold Ousley. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Lou Donaldson_altosaxophone
Blue Mitchell_cornet & trumpet
Lonnie Smith_organ
George Benson_guitar
Idris Muhammad_drums

01. Midnight Creeper
02. Love Power
03. Elizabeth
04. Bag of Jewels
05. Dapper Dan

Jun Fukamachi - Spiral Steps


Year : 1976
Label : Kitty
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Fusion, Space Age
   
"Spiral Steps" is a Space-Age Funk & Future Jazz album featuring the Breckers Brothers and the KORG synthesizer in showcase. Recorded for the first time outside Japan, it's divided in two recordings sessions, Tokyo & New York, including japanesese musicians among his regular sidemen Ray Ohara & Ponta Murakami, Akira Okazawa, Kazumi Watanabe, Anthony Jackson, Barry RogersLou Marini from Blood, Sweat And Tears plus Jake H Conception as guest. Titles include the disco-boogie "In The Holiday Groove" feat. Jake H. Conception & "Taft 1082", the insane heavy funk "Spiral Steps" and the highlight suite for synthesizer "Scoto Phonobine Type I to III". All tracks composed & arranged by Jun Fukamachi.

MUSICIANS : Jun Fukamachi - keyboards - Shuici Ponta Murakami - drums - Akira Okazawa, Ray Ohara & Anthony Jackson - bass - Masayoshi Takanaka, Kazumi Watanabe - guitar - Randy Brecker - trumpet - Barry Rogers - trombone - Jake H.Conception, Michael Brecker & Lou Marini - tenor saxophone 


Saturday, February 11, 2012

Freddie Hubbard - Black Angel


Year : 1970
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Fusion, Free, Hard Bop

His last album (the fourth) for Atlantic Records recorded in 1969 and introducing the fusion period of Freddie Hubbard. The line-up feature incredible quintet with Louis Hayes, Reggie Workman (bassist for John Coltrane), the young Kenny Barron has his beginnings, James Spaulding and cuban player Carlos Potato Valdes. Titles include free improvisations, Miles Davis' influence (Bitches Brew), avant garde Jazz (Spacetrack), original composition of Kenny Barron (The Black Angel), the Modal Coral Keys by Walter Bishop Jr., Post Bop and Soul Jazz (Gittin' Down). All tracks composed by Freddie Hubbard except those mentionned.

Freddie Hubbard_trumpet
Kenny Barron_piano & electric piano
Reggie Workman_bass
Louis Hayes_drums
Jimmy Spaulding_alto saxophone & flute
Carlos "Potato" Valdes_congas & maracas

01. Spacetrack
02. Eclipse
03. The Black Angel
04. Gittin' Down
05. Coral Keys

Sadao Watanabe - California Shower


Year : 1978
Label : Flying Disk
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk, Fusion

Recorded at the famous Record Plant studios in Los Angeles, "California Shower" is the best Sadao's album from his Jazz Funk period including Smooth Jazz, African & Caribbean music. It's the second of four discs serie from 1977 to 1981, arranged by keyboardist Dave Grusin featuring american top fusion musicians among Lee Ritenour, Chuck Rainey, Harvey Mason or George Bohanon. Titles include the original reggae tune "California Shower", "Duo-Creatics" composed by Dave Grusin and the Afro-Jazz-Funk "Ngoma Party". All tracks arranged by Dave Grusin

MUSICIANS : Sadao Watanabe - alto saxophone, sopranino, flute - Ernie Watts - tenor saxophone - Oscar Brashear - trumpet - George Bohanon - trombone - Dave Grusin - keyboards - Lee Ritenour - guitar - Chuck Rainey - bass - Harvey Mason - drums - Paulinho Da Costa - percussion, congas 

Herbie Mann - Memphis Underground


Year : 1969
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Rock

The Jazz Rock gem, Memphis Underground, recorded by flutist Herbie Mann in the late sixties for Atlantic Records, is one of the best-selling Jazz album of all time. After several Bossa Nova albums such as the brilliant Do The Bossa Nova released in 1962 and featuring some finest brazilian musicians, Herbie pays tribute to the Rhythm&Blues music from the south of US. He's evolves with the famous Memphis Rhythm Section supported by the energetic vibes of Roy Ayers & electric echos of Larry Coryell plus the presence of guest bassist Miroslav Vitous. Titles include his own composition Memphis Underground (a tribute to the city), New Orleans, the Soul covers from Stax, Hold On, I'm Comin by Sam & Dave (written by Isaac Hayes) & the classic Aretha Franklin's Chain of Fools, the traditional Battle Hymn Of The Republic arranged by Herbie.

Herbie Mann_flute
Roy Ayers_vibes & congas
Mike Leech & Tommy Cogbill_bass
Larry CoryellReggie Young Sonny Sharrock_guitar
Bobby Emmons_organ
Bobby Wood_keyboards
Gene Christman_drums

01. Memphis Underground
02. New Orleans
03. Hold On, I'm Comin'
04. Chain Of Fools
05. Battle Hymn Of The Republic

Robert Charlebois - Charlebois (Fu Man Chu)

 
Year : 1972
Label : Barclay
Genre : Rock
Style : Pop, Psychedelic Rock

First release signed on french label "Barclay" by the most iconic francophone canadian, after seven years passed on Québecois Gamma label. Recorded at RCA studio in Montréal, "Fu Man Chu" (refers to the famous character created in 1912 by Sax Rohmer), is the last album from the psychedelic period of Robert Charlebois at the top of his game including Terry King (vl), Marcel Beauchamp (ep, eg), Bill Gagnon (eb) & Christian St-Roch (ds, org) from the Jazz Rock group "Ville Emard Blues Band". Among titles include the fancy mexican song "Conception", the classic Charlebois song "Le Mur Du Son" & the psychedelic suite "Fu Man Chu", a rock play divided in three parts including the "Chu D'dans", an interlude to the crazy jerky rhythm written by Michel Sabourin. Recorded by Dave Greene & Jules Perrotte.

George Benson - Bad Benson


Year : 1974
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Funk

Bad Benson is a collection of different kind music choices as smooth and straight ahead jazz designed by George Benson, associated to Phil Upchurch collaboration and featuring rhythm section featuring Ron Carter, Steve Gadd and Kenny Barron surrounded by brass band plus strings ensemble. Titles include the funky variation of the jazz standard Take Five by Paul Desmond, two compositions of Phil Upchurch (No Sooner Said Than Done & Full Compass) and two of George (My Latin Brother & The Changing World) all arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder, produced by Creed Taylor for CTI.

George Benson_guitar
Phil Upchurch_guitar, electric bass, percussion
Ron Carter_bass
Kenny Barron_piano
Steve Gadd_drums

01. Take Five
02. Summer Wisher, Winter Dreams (J.Mandel/A. & M. Bergman)
03. My Latin Brother
04. No Sooner Said Than Done
05. Full Compass
06. The Changing World

Larry Coryell - Spaces


Year : 1970
Label : Vanguard
Genre : Jazz
Style : Jazz Rock

One of the greatest fusion album ever recorded featuring jazz rock pioneers guitarists Larry Coryell & John McLaughlin, supported by Miroslav Vitous on bass, Chick Corea on electric piano and Billy Cobham on drums, main actors of the early fusion period. Considered among the best guitarists, 'the godfather of fusion', Larry Coryell recorded "Spaces" in 1969, concept album focuses on the two guitarists based on nuanced, rhythmic guitar playing including amazing improvisations (Spaces (Infinite), Chris) and gypsy jazz in the Django Reinhardt style ("Rene's Theme" composed by Belgian jazz-guitarist, René Thomas & "Wrong Is Right"). 

Serge Gainsbourg - Bande Originale De La Comédie Musicale "Anna"

 
Year : 1967
Label : Philips
Genre : Rock, Stage & Screen
Style : Pop, Soundtrack

Original soundtrack from the French musical comedy TV film "Anna" directed by Pierre Koralnik. Composed by iconic Serge Gainsbourg, the original score has gone unnoticed before been rehabilitated three decades later in England. Arranged by Michel Columbier, the soundtrack foreshadows the pop rock era of Serge Gainsbourg including various duets and instrumental songs featuring French actor Jean-Claude Brialy (C'Est La Cristallisation Comme Dit Stendhal, Un Poison Violent, C'Est Ça L'Amour) and Jean-Luc Godard's muse Anna Karina (Sous le Soleil Exactement, Roller Girl).

Wes Montgomery - Tequila


Year : 1966
Label : Verve
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Smooth Jazz

One of most popular Wes Montgomery' album with Straight Ahead jazz associated to some latin beats, the beautiful guitar arrangements of Wes with a great combo featuring Ron Carter, Ray Barretto, Grady Tate all surrounded by strings. Titles include the famous Tequila, pop cover of Bacharach, What The World Needs Now Is Love, the classic from Bossa Nova How Insensitive by Jobim and two own compositions by Wes (Bumpin' On Sunset & The Thumb). All tracks produced by Creed Taylor, recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder and arranged by Claus Ogerman.
  
Wes Montgomery_guitar
Ron Carter_bass
Ray Barretto_congas
Grady Tate_drums
George Devens_vibes
   
01. Tequila
02. Little Child (Daddy Dear)
03. What The World Needs Now Is Love
04. The Big Hurt
05. Bumpin' On Sunset
06. How Insensitive (Aka Insensatez)
07. The Thumb
08. Midnight Mood

Herbie Mann - Do The Bossa Nova

 
Year : 1963
Label : Atlantic
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova

The iconic jazz flutist Herbie Mann supported by the best Brazilian musicians of their time featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim (vo, p), Dom Um Romano (ds)Baden Powell & Durval Ferreira (g) and the Sergio Mendes' Bossa Rio group including Paulo Moura (sax), Octavio Bailly Jr. (b). Titles include the classic "One Note Samba" by Antonio Carlos Jobim, jazz standard by Clifford Brown, "Blues Walk", and one Herbie Mann's contribution with "Bossa Velha". All tracks  arranged and conducted by Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Further Adventures Of Jimmy And Wes


Year : 1966
Label : Verve
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Hard Bop

Duet album by Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery recorded for Verve, during the same session as The Dynamic Duo with the same line-up. The group features Grady Tate & Ray Barretto plus Big Band horns conducted by Oliver Nelson on Milestones including Ernie Royal (trumpet), Phil WoodJerome Richarson (woodwind) and guest bassist Richard Davis. Titles include Wes Montgomery' O.G.D., Miles Davis' Milestones and Mellow Mood by Jimmy Smith. Produced by Creed Taylor.

Jimmy Smith_organ
Wes Montgomery_guitar
Ray Barretto_percussion
Grady Tate_drums

01. King of the Road
02. Maybe September
03. O.G.D. (aka Road Song)
04. Call Me
05. Milestones
06. Mellow Mood
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