JOE SAMPLE — Ashes to Ashes (1990) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Joe Sample's recordings throughout much of his career have been consistent and quite interchangeable. Backed by a semi-metronomic if usually grooving rhythm section, Sample's acoustic piano on this Warner Bros. CD is almost always in the lead, playing easy listening jazz-pop; nothing memorable or unique occurs. The lightweight melodies are quite easy to take (serving as excellent background music), but it is a pity that Joe Sample has often seemed satisfied to stay at this unimaginative level, emulating Ramsey Lewis. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE AND THE SOUL COMMITTEE — Did You Feel That? (1994-2014) RN | Serie Fusion Best Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There is some serious shaking going on in the studio here, and it appears the veteran Sample has found a great situation to let out his more aggressive edges. What must it be like to be a legend and try to somehow uncover a path you haven't driven on before? How can a cat like Sample top himself? It's always rewarding when a veteran artist twists expectations with a brand new sound, even if reaching into his past for the germ of the idea. Sample darts at the listener with a whole new, nonstop brass funk approach, allowing his all-star Soul Committee to lay down the grooves beneath his still plucky ivory spirit. Though Did You Feel That? cooks from start to finish, employing inventive rhythmic touches, simmering cool, and a flashy retro production style, it's sometimes too easy to compare the wild horn tandem of Oscar Brashear and Joel Peskin with old Sample cohorts Wilton Felder and Wayne Henderson. Sort of a Crusaders for the modern age. What shines through, however, is Sample's successful execution as a leader of a true ensemble, rather than just a slew of sessionaires. He takes some tasty solos, but makes sure that members of the Committee are allowed their own voices as they chime in with the Chairman of the Board. And just for the record, the other Committee members include drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Freddie Washington, guitarists Michael Landau and Arthur Adams, plus percussionist Lenny Castro. An added treat is the funky historical artwork, an Aaron Douglas painting called "Aspects of Negro Life" from "Slavery Through Reconstruction." It shows the joy of the culture, perfectly mirroring the excitement found on the album. Jonathan Widran    Tracklist & Credits :

YELLOWJACKETS — Samurai Samba (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Samurai Samba is notable for the addition of fiery saxophonist Marc Russo to the group, an alumnus of the Tower of Power horn section. His sound gave Yellowjackets an identity, and resulted in some memorable tunes such as the album opener "Homecoming" (a concert favorite back in the day), and the title track where Russo blows almost bebop lines over a funky blend of jazz fusion set to a fast-paced samba beat. "Lonely Weekend" is notable for the guest appearance of singer and tunesmith Bobby Caldwell. The overall sound is very much of its time, fitting in well with the contemporary jazz fusion that was popular back then. This one is an important evolutionary album in their catalog. Rudy

Tracklist :

1.    Homecoming 5:13

Russell Ferrante

2.    Deat Beat 5:25

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson / Marc Russo

3.    Daddy's Gonna Miss You 4:33

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson / Marc Russo

4.    Sylvania 4:14

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson

5.    Silverlake 5:45

Russell Ferrante

6.    Lonely Weekend 4:20

Bobby Caldwell / Joseph Curiale / Russell Ferrante / Ricky Lawson

7.    Los Mambos 4:24

Paulinho Da Costa / Russell Ferrante / Marc Russo

8.    Samurai Samba 5:18

Russell Ferrante

Credits :

Vocals – Bobby Caldwell, Carl Caldwell, Marilyn Scott, Paulinho Da Costa

Bass [5-string] – Jimmy Haslip

Drums, Drums [Electric] – Ricky Lawson

Guitar – Carlos Rios, Michael Landau

Keyboards – Russell Ferrante

Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa

Saxophone [Alto] – Marc Russo