Johnny Hammond - Breakout

Year : 1971

Label : Kudu/CTI

Genre : Jazz

Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

Another genious Hammond B-3 organ player also known under the name John Robert Smith started his solo career with Imagination in 1959. In he signed on Prestige label in 1961 and later, recorded several albums for Kudu (subsidiary of CTI Records). In the line-up feature some best CTI musicians as Hank Crawford, Grover Washington Jr., Billy Cobham, Eric Gale and the famous brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira. Titles include the super groove version of Carole King' It's Too Late and Never Can Say Goodbye popularized by the Jackson Five. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder and produced by Creed Taylor.

Johnny Hammond_organ & electric piano
Johnny Williams_bass
Eric Gale_guitar
Billy Cobham_drums
Hank Crawford_alto saxophone
Grover Washington Jr._tenor saxophone  
Danny Moore_trumpet
Airto Moreira_percussion

01. It's Too Late
02. Workin' On A Groovy Thing
03. Never Can Say Goodbye
04. Blues Selah
05. Breakout

Bob James - Three

  
Year : 1976
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion, Jazz Funk, Smooth Jazz

The penultimate Bob James album coming from the famous Smooth Jazz tetralogy "One, Two, Three & BJ 4" featuring guest musician saxophonist Grover Washington Jr.. "Three" crosses various musical jazz styles ranging from Funk (Storm King) to Smooth Jazz, passing by caribbean overtones including reggae tunes (Women Of Ireland, Jamaica Farewell). The Bob James line-up consists of his usual rhythm section based on Gary King, Harvey Mason, Eric Gale and session musicians such as drummer Andy Newmark & guitarist Jeff Mironov (added on "One Mint Julep"), all supported by horns section & strings ensemble. All tracks arranged & conducted by Bob James, recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Bob James_keyboards
Gary King & Will Lee_bass
Harvey Mason_drums
Eric Gale & Hugh McCracken_guitar
Ralph MacDonald_percussion
Grover Washington Jr. & Tin Whistle_tenor saxophone
Hubert Laws & Jerry Dodgion_flute

01. One Mint Julep 

02. Women Of Ireland

03. Westchester Lady

04. Storm King

05. Jamaica Farewell

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Bob James - One

Year : 1974
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion, Jazz Funk, Smooth Jazz

First of a four serie albums recorded for CTI  between 1974-1977, by american jazz pianist and arranger Bob James, proclaimed as the "Godfather" of the Smooth Jazz. Bob James plays with a large ensemble of musicians featuring Gary King, Idris Muhammad & Grover Washington Jr., all supported by a strings section. After a period as sideman for Sarah Vaughan from 1965 to 1968, he become one of favorites studio musicians for the Creed Taylor's new label, CTI. During the decade 1970, he played a major role in turning Jazz into Jazz Funk as producer and arranger. With "One", Bob James revisits great works of classical music, the Mussorgsky's "Night On Bald Mountain" & "In The Garden" based on "Canon In D" by Pachelbel. Others titles include original compositions by Bob James, "Valley Of The Shadow", "Soulero" featuring guest saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. and "Nautilus" (sampled by Run-D.M.C. on "Beats to the Rhyme" & Ghostface Killah on "Daytona 500"). Produced by Creed Taylor, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder studio, arranged & conducted by Bob James.

Bob James_keyboards

Gary King_bass

Richie Resnicoff_guitar

Idris Muhammad & Steve Gadd_drums

Ralph McDonald_percussion
Grover Whashington Jr._soprano saxophone

01. Valley Of The Shadows                        

02. In The Garden

03. Soulero

04. Night On Bald Mountain

05. Feel Like Making Love

06. Nautilus

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