DEODATO — Deodato 2 (1973-1988) RM | Bonus Tracks | Serie The Original CTI Recordings Digitally Remastered For Compact Disc | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Deodato's debut for CTI, Prelude, earned him a genuine reputation for funky fusion with its groove-tight cover of "Thus Spake Zarathustra," the theme from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The rest of the album isn't quite as memorable, but it fit the bill and got nice reviews for its innovative read of Borodin and Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun." On 2, the Brazilian composer and arranger dips into the funked-up fusion tank once again, and comes out with a more consistent disc than its predecessor. Arranged, conducted, and keyboarded by Deodato himself instead of CTI house arrangers Don Sebesky or Bob James, the maestro enlisted a fusion who's who of sidemen including drummer Billy Cobham, bassist Stanley Clarke, and flutist Hubert Laws, as well as rockers like John Tropea on guitar. The larger ensemble that provides brass, woodwind, and string support includes trumpeter Jon Faddis and Jim Buffington. "Super Strut" kicks it off. Deep-grooved lines of accented angular riffing and rim-shot syncopation by Cobham turn this simply notated four-stepper into a burning ball of greasy rock and souled-out jazz. This is followed by a wildly campy but nonetheless wondrous read of "Rhapsody in Blue" done Stevie Wonder-style. Deodato's keyboard work never lets the groove drop; he pulls the rhythm section down around him and hunkers his phrasing to punch up the long, sweeping horns and string lines. Less successful is a read of "Nights in White Satin," with its overwrought strings, and a "Pavane for a Dead Princess" that's a snore. The album officially closes with "Skyscrapers," another jazz-rock rave-up that blasts holes in the sonic sky with its dueling keyboard and guitar lines.
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Tracklist :
1. Super Strut 9:29
2. Rhapsody In Blue 8:43
3. Nights In White Satin 6:01
4. Pavane For A Dead Princess 4:24
5. Skyscrapers 7:00
6. Latin Flute 4:19
– BONUS TRACKS –
7. Venus 3:28
8. Do It Again 5:30
Credits :
Eumir Deodato - keyboards
Stanley Clarke, John Giulino - Bass
Billy Cobham, Rick Marotta - Drums
Rubens Bassini, Gilmore Degap - Percussion, Congas
John Tropea - Guitar
Hubert Laws, Jerry Gordon, Romeo Penque, George Marge - Flute
Jon Faddis, Burt Collins, Victor Paz, Alan Rubin, Marvin Stamm - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Garnet Brown, Wayne Andre - Trombone
Tony Studd - Bass Trombone
Jim Buffington - French Horn
Joe Temperley - Baritone Sax
String Section - Violins, Violas, Cellos