Astrud Gilberto - Beach Samba

 

Year : 1966

Label : Verve

Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova, Pop

Astrud Gilberto surrounded by orchestra conducted by Don Sebesky featuring flutist Hubert Laws & Toots Thielemans (guitar, whistle), rhythm section including bassist Ron Carter, drummer Grady Tate, Marcos Valle (guitar) and Georges Devens (vibraphone). "Beach Samba" was cut for international audience (like the Marcos Valle's "Samba '68"), benefiting of the Eumir Deodato and Don Sebesky's arrangements to the jazz pop orientation. Titles include a songs alternation in portuguese and english lyrics, "The Face I Love" by Marcos Valle, the jazz standard "My Foolish Heart", the banda "Parade" by Chico Buarque, two covers of Luiz Bonfa ("Oba Oba", "Dia Das Rosas") and Deodato contribution's with "Canoeiro" & "Não Bate O Coração". All tracks produced by Creed Taylor. "Beach Samba" is included in the "1001 Discs To Listen Before Die" book.

Freddie Hubbard ‎- First Light

Year : 1971
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Post Bop, Soul Jazz

The third CTI album released by genius trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, can be seen as the final part of a jazz trilogy including his two previous albums, "Red Clay" and "Straight Life" recorded in 1970. "First Light" is a jazz masterpiece with beautiful strings arrangements by master Don Sebesky, featuring the greatest players of their times among guitarist George Benson, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Jack DeJohnette and pianist Richard Wyands. Titles include the title-track (a replay to "Red Clay"), funky variation of the Paul McCartney's classic "Uncle Albert/Admiral Hasley", and the sweet mood of "Moment To Moment", "Yesterday's Dreams" & "Lonely Town".

Kenny Burrell - God Bless The Child

Year : 1971
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion, Jazz Guitar

The beautiful crossover jazz album "God Bless The Child" is an essential of jazz guitar, the only one recorded for CTI by american jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell featuring Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Freddie Hubbard and Ray Barretto. Influenced by the legendary jazz guitarists Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt, Kenny Burrell started in the early fifties alongside Oscar Peterson before to become a session musician in demand, playing for numerous prestigious musicians among Dizzie Gillepsie, Paul Chambers, Milt Jackson, Louis Amstrong or James Brown, and was a regular sideman, in particular, for Jimmy Smith on over twenty albums. All titles are recorded with the support of a strings orchestra under the Don Sebesky direction. Recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder and produced by Creed Taylor.

MUSICIANS : Kenny Burrell - guitar - Ron Carter - bass - Hugh Lawson - piano - Richard Wyands - electric piano - Freddie Hubbard - trumpet - Billy Cobham - drums - Ray Barretto - percussion

Melvin Sparks - Akilah !

Year : 1972
Label : Prestige
Genre : Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz, Jazz Funk

Sparks' third LP recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder with guests Hubert Laws (flute on The Image Of Love), Ernie Royal and George Coleman (respectively trumpet & alto saxophone on  Akilah). Personnel of rhythm section features Idris Muhammad, Leon Spencer and Buddy Caldwell. Titles include all compositions by Melvin Sparks except Love The Life You Live by Kool & The Gang, The Image Of Love by Leon Spencer. Orchestrations arranged by Billy Ver Plank.

Melvin Sparks_guitar

Leon Spencer_organ

Buddy Caldwell_percussion

Idris Muhammad_drums 

Virgil Jones_trumpet

Dave Hubbard_alto saxophone & flute 

Frank Wess_tenor saxophone

Sonny Fortune_alto saxophone

01. Love The Life You Live
02. On The Up
03. All Wrapped Up
04. Akilah
05. Blues For J.B.
06. The Image Of Love

Ron Carter - Spanish Blue

Year : 1974
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion
Website : Roncater.net

Third album of jazz bassist recorded for CTI performed by bassist Ron Carter. An Andalusian breeze blows on Spanish Blue,  a sensuous atmosphere created by playing of Hubert Laws and Jay Berliner. Titles include the reinterpretation of masterpiece So What? from the Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue (1959), spanish vibes to the flamenco accents (El Noche Sol & Sabado Sombrero) and the last groovy track called Arkansas featuring the great solos of Hubert Laws and Ron Carter. Produced by Creed Taylor and recorded at Studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Ron Carter _bass, piccolo bass
Hubert Laws_flute
Roland Hanna & Leon Pendarvis _electric piano, piano
Jay Berliner_guitar
Billy Cobham_drums, field drum
Ralph MacDonald_percussion

01. El Noche Sol
02. So What
03. Sabado Sombrero
04. Arkansas

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. 

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

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.

Antonio Carlos Jobim - Stone Flower

Year : 1970

Label : CTI
Genre : Latin Jazz
Style : Bossa Nova

Considered as the forerunner of the Bossa Nova genre, Antonio Carlos Jobim was best known for having shaped Brazilian modern music and his contribution to famous Stan Getz's albums "Jazz Samba" and "Getz/Gilberto". Arranged by Eumir Deodato and recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder, "Stone Flower" is a highlight point of his career, a kind of own version of the Miles Davis' "Kind Of Blue" album. It's his only album recorded for the Creed Taylor label including the best of the best among CTI musicians : Joe Farrell, Ron Carter, Hubert Laws, Deodato and Airto Moreira. Titles include the Brazilian music anthem "Brazil" ("Aquarela Do Brazil" composed by Ary Barroso) and original compositions by Jobim.

Gil Scott-Heron - Pieces Of A Man

Year : 1971
Label : Flying Dutchman
Genre : Soul, Jazz
Style : Soul Jazz
 
"Pieces Of A Man" is a Soul Jazz album featuring Brian Jackson (p), Ron Carter (eb), Hubert Laws (fl, sax), Burt Jones (eg) and Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (ds). Gil Scott-Heron speaks about social and political issues of his time including slam forms and protest speech, in particular on iconic song "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", major influence for Hip-Hop music. Indeed, Gil Scott-Heron is considered as the first rapper in the history, musician and poet, he started as writer publishing his first novel "The Vulture" in 1969. Influenced by The Last Poets, his music is marked by political and social engagement. He meets musician Brian Jackson at university, it's the beginning of a long time collaboration on seven albums in duet released between 1974-1980, including "Winter In America" with his massive hit "The Bottle". All tracks composed by Brian Jackson & Gil Scott-Heron, conducted by Johnny Pate.

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Jimmy Smith - Stay Loose...Jimmy Smith Sings Again

Year : 1968
Label : Verve
Genre : Jazz
Style: Soul Jazz, Funk/Soul

Jimmy Smith plus Orchestra, return to the roots of Rhythm & Blues. Titles include some kind of funky gospel-blues as I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town, the Aretha Franklin' hit track Chain of Fools or Stay Loose. Jimmy brings his energic voice with great musicians featuring Stanley Turrentine Phil Upchurch, Grady Tate and a large panel of horns & reeds section, in part, consisting to Hubert Laws, Jerome Richardson, Joe Farrell, Pepper Adams, Garnett Brown. Arranged and conducted by Tom McIntosh.

Jimmy Smith_organ & vocal
James Tyrell & Jimmy Merritt_bass
Phil Upchurch & Carl Lyn_guitar
Grady Tate_drums
Stanley Turrentine_tenor saxophone
Johnny Pacheco_percussion

01. I´m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
02. Stay Loose
03. If You Ain´t Got It
04. One For Members
05. Is You Is Or Is You Ain´t My Baby
06. Chain Of Fools
07. Grabbin´ Hold

George Benson - White Rabbit

Year : 1971
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Fusion

A 'Gypsy' project with heavy orchestration conducted & arranged by Don Sebesky as on The Other Side Of Abbey Road. Titles include some Andalusian tunes (White Rabbit, El Mar) coupled with Straight Ahead Jazz, the trademark of CTI records. Great reprises of the standards pop' White Rabbit & California Dreaming. Earl Klugh & Jay Berliner are associated to george on accoustic guitar. The rest of the band including the finest Fusion Jazz players such as Ron Carter (bass), Herbie Hancock (electric piano), Billy Cobham (drums), Airto Moreira (percussions, vocals), Hubert Laws (flute).

01. White Rabbit
02. Theme from Summer of '42
03. Little Train (from Bachianas Brasileiras No.2)
04. California Dreaming
05. El Mar

George Benson - The Other Side Of Abbey Road

Year : 1969

Label : A&M

Genre : Jazz

Style : Jazz Funk, Fusion

George Benson revisits some iconic songs from The Beatles' last album, arranged & directed by master Don Sebesky, produced by Creed Taylor for CTI and recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder. George Benson (eg, vo) is surrounded by a golden sextet including regular CTI session musicians featuring Herbie Hancock (org, p), Bob James (el-p), Idris Muhammad (ds), Freddie Hubbard (tp), Hubert Laws (fl), Ron Carter (b, el-b) & Ray Barretto (perc), supported by strings orchestra. Titles include four medley (Golden Slumbers~You Never Give Me Your Money, Because~Come Together, Here Comes The Sun~I Want You (She's So Heavy), Something~Octopus's Garden~The End) and "Oh! Darling".

The Jazz Crusaders - Chile Con Soul

Year : 1965

Label : Pacific Jazz

Genre : Latin Jazz

Label : Afro Cuban Jazz

"The Jazz Crusaders" were originally formed by Joe Sample (p), Wilton Felder (ts), Nesbert "Stix" Hooper (ds) and Wayne Henderson (tb), later joined by Larry Carlton in 1971. "Chile Con Soul" is their ninth album recorded for Pacific Jazz. It includes including a nice selection of eight latin grooves played in the pure Afro-Cuban style featuring notable musicians such as flutist Hubert Laws (fl), Cuban percussionist Carlos Vidal (cg) and Al McKibbon (b). In the seventies, they take a new route adopting jazz funk and become The Crusaders.

Harvey Mason - Marching In The Street

Year : 1975

Label : Arista

Genre : Jazz, Soul

Style : Jazz Funk

Debut album solo of american studio jazz drummer, Harvey Mason. He collaborated with many jazz and fusion musicians such as George Benson or The Brecker Brothers, almost present in all the Mizell Brothers productions with Donald Byrd or Bobbi Humphrey and played for several japanese artists as Hiroshi Fukumura on Hunt Up Wind (1978). He best known as in group The Headhunters and sideman for Herbie Hancock on Head Hunters (1973), Man-Child (1975), Mr. Hands (1980). Titles include featurings with guests musicians as Melvin 'Wah Wah' Ragin (guitar & talkbox on Fair Thee Well), Hubert Laws (flute on Modaji) George Bohannon (trombone on Hop Scotch) and Blue Mitchell (solo trumpet on Marching In The Street). All tracks composed by Harvey Mason except Modaji by Dave Grusin and Wild Rice by Lee Ritenour. Arranged & produced by Harvey Mason.

Harvey Mason_drums, vocal

Chuck Rainey & Paul Jackson_bass

Lee Ritenour_guitar

Herbie Hancock & Dave Grusin_keyboards

Oscar Brashear & Bobby Bryant_trumpet

Ernie Watts & Bennie Maupin_saxophone

01. Marching In The Street

02. Modaji

03. Hop Scotch

04. Wild Rice

05. Ballad For Heather

06. Fair Thee Well

07. Building Love

Ron Carter - Empire Jazz

Year : 1980
Label : RSO
Genre : Jazz
Style : Contempory Jazz

Revealed and recruited by Miles Davis for his second great quintet from 1963 to 1968, alongside Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams, Ron Carter has more than 2500 albums to his credit, recorded all over the world. Empire Jazz is the music adaptation of the Original Soundtrack from the Motion Pictures Star Wars & The Empire Strikes Back, composed by John Williams, and also his "most wanted" LP. Ron Carter is surrounded by various renowned CTI musicians among Billy Cobham, Hubert Laws, Bob James or Ralph MacDonald, all supported by the FOX fanfare. Titles include the most popular themes of Star Wars as the Darth Vader's theme or Love Theme, and a Bossa variation of The Asteroid Field with beautiful orchestration & the arrangements of Ron Carter.

Ron Carter_bass
Billy Cobham_drums
Jay Berliner_guitar
Hubert Laws_flute
Ralph MacDonald_percussion
Bob James_piano
Frank Wess_saxophone
Eddie Bert_trombone
Joe Shepley & Jon Faddis_trumpet, flugelhorn

01. The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)
02. The Asteroid Field
03. Han Solo & The Princess (Love Theme)
04. Lando's Palace
05. Yoda's Theme

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Bob James - BJ 4

Year : 1977

Label : CTI

Genre : Jazz

Style : Fusion, Jazz Funk, Smooth Jazz

The final chapter of the Bob James tetralogy and last volume of the four discs serie produced for CTI from 1974 to 1977. As the previous albums, the rhythm section is based on Steve Gadd, Eric Gale, Gary King & Ralph MacDonald, including soloists Hubert Laws and Art Farmer, all supported by strings ensemble. Titles include original compositions by Bob James from Jazz Funk (Where The Wind Blows Free, Tappan Zee) to Smooth Jazz (Pure Imagination, Nights Are Forever Without You) with caribbean overtones (Treasure Island). All tracks arrranged by Bob James, produced by Creed Taylor, recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

Bob James_keyboards
Gary King_bass
Steve Gadd_drums
Eric Gale_guitar
Ralph MacDonald_percussion
Romeo Penque & Eddie Daniels_tenor saxophone & bass clarinet

01. Pure Imagination

02. Where The Wind Blows Free
03. Tappan Zee
04. Nights Are Forever Without You
05. Treasure Island
06. El Verano

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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 - Two

Year : 1975
Label : CTI
Genre : Jazz
Style : Fusion, Jazz Funk, Smooth Jazz

Volume 2 of the Bob James' jazz funk tetralogy featuring CTI All-Stars musicians and special guests, songstress Patti Austin, bassist Gary King, drummer Steve Gadd & flutist Hubert Laws. As the previous "One", the formation is supported by strings ensemble and horns section including trumpeter Randy Brecker. Titles include  "Take Me To The Mardi Gras", one of the most widely used tracks in Hip-Hop breakbeat samples (N.W.A., Beastie Boys, Run-DMC), "I Feel A Song" featuring Patti Austin and variation on "Farandole (L'Arlesienne Suite #2)" taken from classical french composition by George Bizet. All tracks conducted & arranged by Bob James, recorded at studio Rudy Van Gelder.

MUSICIANS : Bob James - keyboards / Eric Gale - guitar & bass / Richie Resnicoff - guitar /

Andrew Smith - drums / Arthur Jenkins & Ralph McDonald - percussions / Randy Brecker - trumpet / Gary King - bass / Steve Gadd - drums / Hubert Laws - flute

TRACKLIST : Bob James - Take Me To The Mardi Gras / Bob James Feat. Patti Austin - I Feel A Song / Bob James Feat. Steve Gadd & Gary King - The Golden Apple / Bob James Feat. Hubert Laws - Farandole (L'Arlesienne Suite #2) / Bob James - You're Right As Rain - Dream Journey

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