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 

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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 Coryell, Reggie 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)

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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 Wood, Jerome 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

Takeshi Inomata & His West Liners - Liner Note

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Year : 1967
Label : Nippon Columbia
Serie : Takt Jazz Series
Genre : Jazz, Latin Jazz
Style : Cool Jazz, Bossa Nova, Afro-Cuban Jazz

"Liner Note" recorded in 1966, is the first original album by Takeshi Inomata released under the Takt Jazz Series of Nippon Columbia label. The West Liners lead by the legendary japanese drummer was originally formed as a sextet in 1957 with pianist/arranger Norio Maeda featuring Masaru Imada (p), bassist Tatsuro Takimoto (b), Sadanori Nakamure (g),  Shigeo Suzuki (as), Ichiro Mimori (ts) and Tetsuo Fushimi (tp). They were recruited as backing band by american songstress Helen Merrill when she was settle in Japan, recording "Helen Merrill In Tokyo" & "Sings Screen Favorites". Among others albums released by the band feature "Modern Top Hits" in 1965, come thereafter, "Paint It Black" in 1966,  "Come Together!" in 1969 and "My Way" in 1971. "Liner Note" is a blend of Jazz & Latin music including jazz standards of Miles Davis, George Gershwin & Herbie Hancock from Cool Jazz (All Blues), Modal (Freddie Freeloader, Cantaloupe Island) to Afro-Cuban Jazz (Afro-Blue), by Samba (La Grita) & Bossa Nova (Meditation, Panteno). All tracks arranged by Takeshi Inomata.