Back in 1978 when this set was recorded, fusion (the mixture of jazz improvisation with rock rhythms) was declining. Keyboardist Joe Sample, best-known for his work with the Crusaders, was in the process of being one of the founders of "contemporary jazz," an idiom that has since solidified into smooth jazz. Sample emphasized catchy melodies, light funk rhythms, appealing chord changes and a pop sensibility. For this accessible release, Sample is joined by the late legendary guitarist Billy Rogers, bassist Pops Popwell, his old Crusaders drummer Stix Hooper, a horn section and several guest guitarists. All eight tunes (which include "Fly with the Wings of Love" and "Islands in the Rain") are by the leader, who is heard throughout in melodic form, setting up a variety of light grooves that serve as superior background music. Scott Yanow Tracklist & Credits :
24.1.24
JOE SAMPLE — Carmel (1979-1985) APE (image+.cue), lossless
Pianist Joe Sample is a pioneer at creating melodic and accessible pop-jazz. His recordings of the 1970s and '80s were consistently popular, especially this best-seller. Sample is joined on most selections by fellow Crusader Stix Hooper on drums, electric bassist Abraham Laboriel, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and, often, guitarist Dean Parks. Flutist Hubert Laws guests on "Midnight and Mist." The memorable melodies, clean harmonics, and Sample's fine playing make Carmel a high point among his solo recordings Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits :
JOE SAMPLE — Voices in the Rain (1980) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
There is a fair amount of variety on this reasonably enjoyable but not essential release from keyboardist Joe Sample. Most of the tunes fall into the area of funky crossover with strong melodies, danceable rhythms and few chances taken. Flora Purim takes the vocal on "Shadows" and is joined by two other singers for the spirited "Burnin' Up The Carnival." The acoustic "Sonata In Solitude" has violinist L. Subramaniam, guitarist John Collins and bassist Ray Brown, but that is a one-time departure on what is basically a commercial set geared for radio airplay. Scott Yanow Tracklist & Credits :
23.1.24
JOE SAMPLE — The Hunter (1983) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Joe Sample returns to the smooth jazz style of his popular albums Rainbow Seeker, Carmel, and Voices in the Rain on 1983's The Hunter. The keyboardist fills up a studio with like-minded session musicians including trumpeter Tom Browne, horn players Chuck Findley, Jerry Hey, and Ernie Watts, guitarists Dean Parks, David Spinozza, and Phil Upchurch, bassists Abraham Laboriel and Marcus Miller, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and drummer Steve Gadd, and sets them loose on some rhythmic tracks with a rock/R&B feel. The beat is paramount, a constant augmented by funky, popping basslines, with guitar solos and horn charts overlaid. And, weaving in and out is Sample, on either acoustic or electric piano, finding room to solo extensively. The solos are more of the rock variety than what a conventional jazz fan would recognize, since they are anchored to the relentless beats. But Sample is one of the more accomplished players in smooth jazz, and his sidemen are able to support him and, when given the chance, match him in their playing. William Ruhlmann Tracklist & Credits :
JOE SAMPLE — Oasis (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Pianist Joe Sample, who has had easily the most successful solo career of any of the Crusaders, recorded a series of melodic and lightly funky sets for MCA in the 1980s. This particular outing (which is available on CD) is unfortunately quite weak due to the forgettable melodies. Sample is joined by Dean Parks, Carlos Fearing, David T. Walker and/or Barry Finnerty on guitars, either Wilton Felder, Abraham Laboriel or Nathan East on bass, drummer Ndugu, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa and occasional synthesizers and strings; he plays well enough, but the material is quite inferior. One song ("The Survivor") features Phyllis Hyman's over-the-top R&B singing. Otherwise, the program consists of lightweight instrumentals, pleasant but mundane. Get Sample's Carmel instead. Scott Yanow Tracklist & Credits :
8.11.23
DIZZY GILLESPIE | LALO SCHIFRIN — Free Ride (1977-1993) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Although Lalo Schifrin is justifiably praised for his soundtrack work, many jazz purists turn up their noses at his jazz dates, such as his '60s work with Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery. The things that make Schifrin an anathema to the diehards -- the huge orchestras, the pop and soul riffs, the general air of over the top theatricality -- are all over 1977's Free Ride, his reunion date with Dizzy Gillespie. (Schifrin had been Gillespie's arranger in the late '50s.) In fact, Free Ride is so painfully dated that it's transformed into cockeyed cool, just the sort of record ironic hipsters should listen to while they're reading the novelizations of '70s cop shows that they bought for a bundle off of eBay. Gillespie plays with his usual wit and panache, but most of the time, he sounds like a sideman on his own album; the real focus of Schifrin's arrangements is the funky wah-wah guitars and ARP synthesizer solos that take center stage on tracks like "Fire Dance" (which sounds exactly like it should be the theme for a Charlie's Angels spinoff) and the mellow disco of the closing "Last Stroke of Midnight." Occasionally, Gillespie gets to break out on his own album, with the lovely solo on "Love Poem for Donna" his particular standout. For what it is, Free Ride is really quite good (guests include Lee Ritenour and future star Ray Parker, Jr.), but it's very much a record of and for its time. Stewart Mason Tracklist + Credits :
27.9.21
DAVE GRUSIN / LEE RITENOUR - Harlequin (1985) WV (image+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 Harlequin (Arlequim Desconhecido) 4:42
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
2 Early A.M. Attitude 4:59
Composed By – Dave Grusin
3 San Ysidro 4:59
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
4 Before It´s Too Late (Antes Que Seja Tarde) 5:18
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
5 Silent Message 6:09
Composed By – Dave Grusin
6 Cats Of Rio 5:18
Composed By – Don Grusin
7 Beyond The Storm (Depois Dos Temporais) 5:37
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
8 Grid-Lock 4:03
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
9 The Bird 5:48
Composed By – Harvey Mason, Mike Lang
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Carol Rogers (faixas: 1, 4), Marietta Waters (faixas: 1, 4), Regina Werneck (faixas: 1, 4)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (faixas: 5, 8), Jimmy Johnson (faixas: 1 to 4, 6, 7)
Drums – Carlos Vega (faixas: 1 to 4, 5, 6), Harvey Mason (faixas: 1, 4)
Guitar, Producer, Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Alex Acuña (faixas: 1, 8), Paulinho Da Costa
Piano, Keyboards – Dave Grusin
Programmed By [Drums] – Harvey Mason
Programmed By [Midi-piano] – Randy Goodrum
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Marcus Ryle
Vocals – Ivan Lins (faixas: 1, 4)
26.6.21
JOE PASS AND PAULINHO DA COSTA - Tudo Bem! (1978-1985) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
After countless solo guitar albums for Pablo, Joe Pass performed this welcome change of pace, a set of Brazilian tunes. Joined by fellow guitarist Oscar Castro Neves, bassist Octavio Bailly, drummer Claudio Slon, percussionist Paulinho da Costa and keyboardist Don Grusin, Pass plays warm solos on a variety of Brazilian tunes. Highlights include three songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim (including "Corcovado" and "Wave"), Deodato's "Tears," and Luiz Bonfa's "The Gentle Rain." A melodic and infectious date that has been reissued on CD. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Corcovado 6:20
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
2 Tears (Razao de Viver) 3:32
Deodato
3 Wave 10:08
Antônio Carlos Jobim
4 Voce (You) 3:10
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
5 If You Went Away 3:04
Marcos Valle
6 Que Que Ha? 4:11
Don Grusin / Octavio Bailly, Jr.
7 The Gentle Rain (Chuva Delicada) 4:11
Luiz Bonfá / Matt Dubey
8 Barquinho 6:11
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
9 Luciana 4:55
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees / Vinícius de Moraes
10 I Live to Love 3:20
Oscar Castro-Neves / Luverci Fiorini / Ray Gilbert
Credits :
Bass – Octavio Bailly Jr
Drums – Claudio Slon
Guitar – Joe Pass, Oscar Castro Neves
Keyboards – Don Grusin
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Producer – Norman Granz
22.6.21
GATO BARBIERI - Ruby, Ruby (1977-2007) Verve Originals / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Charming and romantic fit the description of Gato Barbieri and the work
he presents here, the album Ruby, Ruby. The production of the record,
mastered and engineered handsomely by Herb Alpert, is very lush and
beautiful to a lasting degree. Barbieri turns his first song, "Ruby,"
from an early-on haunting love ballad to an appealing and gripping
all-out Latin jam session. This theme happens to find itself playing
roles several times over throughout the record. The musicianship
explored is captivating and adventurous, taking the listener on a
passionate journey to whatever part of the soul he or she wishes to find
or dares to pursue. A soaring sound at times, with Barbieri's splendid,
racing saxophone melody lines. "Nostalgia" brings the delicate and
eloquent guitar work of Lee Ritenour, who also takes part in the
creation of "Sunride" and bits of "Ruby." As with most jazz records,
percussion is responsible for playing a key role in the inception of the
groove and depth of the material. Because of this album's Latin
context, Barbieri does a wonderful job inspiring his friends in the
rhythm section to come to life. Joe Clayton plays the textured conga on
"Latin Reaction," and Lenny White leads a band of fellow passionate
drummers, including Paulina da Costa, Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, and
Bernard Purdie. The entire atmosphere of the record changes smoothly in
texture and tempo, drifting like a channeling stream from subdued and
slow to rampant and passionately loud. Certainly, Barbieri intended it
to be a delight of the first degree in the Latin scene, and one listen
should win the hearts and minds of the listener. Conjuring up romance
and scenes of a starry night in Latin America, this music is the soul of
Latin music at its peak in the late '70s. A soothing and ethereal
delight, even considering its only weakness: the lack of words and
lyrics. by Shawn M. Haney
Tracklist :
1 Ruby 6:29
Written-By – Heinz Roemheld, Michael Parish
2 Nostalgia 5:25
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
3 Latin Reaction 4:58
Written-By – Marvin Gaye
4 Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing 5:45
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
5 Sunride 5:55
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
6 Adios 4:42
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
7 Blue Angel 5:46
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
8 Midnight Tango 4:27
Written-By – Herb Alpert
Credits :
Bass – Chuck Domanico (tracks: 7), Eddie Guagua (tracks: 6), Gary King
Congas – Joe Clayton (tracks: 3)
Contractor [Strings] – David Nadien
Drums – Bernard Purdie (tracks: 7), Lenny White, Steve Gadd (tracks: 5), Steve Jordan (tracks: 6)
French Horn – John Gale, Peter Gordon , Tom Malone
Guitar – David Spinozza, Joe Caro, Lee Ritenour (tracks: 1, 2, 5)
Keyboards – Eddy Martinez
Organ – Don Grolnick (tracks: 3)
Percussion – Cachete Maldonado, Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7), Portinho (tracks: 6)
Piano – Don Grolnick (tracks: 1)
Producer, Arranged By – Herb Alpert
Synthesizer – Ian Underwood (tracks: 2 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By – Gato Barbieri
Trombone – David Taylor, Paul Faulise, Wayne Andre
Trumpet – Herb Alpert (tracks: 2)
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Alen Rubin, Jon Faddis, Lou Soloff, Marvin Stamm
2.4.21
JOÂO GILBERTO - Amoroso + Brasil (1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Two of the influential João Gilberto's LPs (Amoroso and Brasil) are combined on this single CD. The former session is pretty definitive with Gilberto interpreting four of Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions (including "Wave" and "Triste") and four other songs (highlighted by "Besame Mucho," "Estate," and an odd 31-bar rendition of "'S Wonderful"). The strings (arranged by Claus Ogerman) are unnecessary but Gilberto proves to be in prime form. The later album also has its moments of interest (including a Brazilian version of "All of Me") and finds Gilberto backed by Johnny Mandel arrangements and assisted by singers Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Maria Bethania. Overall there is not much variety throughout this gently swinging program but these are a pair of Gilberto's better post-1970 recordings. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
Amoroso (1977)
1 'S Wonderful 4:10
Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin
2 Estate 6:27
Written-By – Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino
3 Tin Tin Por Tin Tin 3:40
Written-By – Geraldo Jacques, Haroldo Barbosa
4 Besame Mucho 8:46
Written-By – Consuelo Velazquez, Sunny Skylar
5 Wave 4:41
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
6 Caminhos Cruzados 6:14
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
7 Triste 4:19
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
8 Zingaro 6:22
Lyrics By – Chico Buarque
Music By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Brasil (1981)
9 Aquarela Do Brasil 6:34
Written-By – Ary Barroso
10 Disse Alguém (All Of Me) 5:18
Written-By – Gerald Marks, Haroldo Barbosa, Seymour Simons
11 Bahia Com H 5:13
Written-By – Denis Brean
12 No Tabuleiro Da Baiana 4:50
Written-By – Ary Barroso
13 Milagre 4:57
Written-By – Dorival Caymmi
14 Cordeiro De Nanã 1:20
Written-By – Mateus E Dadinho
Créditos
Arranged By, Conductor – Claus Ogerman (faixas: 1 to 8), Johnny Mandel (faixas: 9 to 14)
Bass – Jim Hughart
Cello – Anne Goodman (faixas: 9 to 14), Rober Lebon (faixas: 9 to 14)
Concertmaster – Israel Baker (faixas: 1 to 8)
Contractor – Stan Fishelson (faixas: 9 to 14)
Contractor [Orchestra] – Frank De Caro (faixas: 1 to 8)
Drums – Grady Tate (faixas: 1 to 8), Joe Correro
Flute – Bud Shank (faixas: 9 to 14), Eddie Cainf (faixas: 9 to 14), Glen Garrett (faixas: 9 to 14), Harry Klu (faixas: 9 to 14)
Harp – Stella Castellucci (faixas: 9 to 14)
Keyboards – Clare Fischer (faixas: 9 to 14), Ralph Grierson (faixas: 1 to 8)
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (faixas: 9 to 14)
Performer – Caetano Veloso (faixas: 9 to 14), Maria Bethania (faixas: 9 to 14)
Synthesizer – Michael Boddicker (faixas: 9 to 14), Milcho Leviev (faixas: 9 to 14)
Viola – David Schwartz (faixas: 9 to 14), Helaine Wittenberg (faixas: 9 to 14), Marilyn Baker (faixas: 9 to 14)
Violin – Bonnie Douglas (faixas: 9 to 14), Harry Bluestone (faixas: 9 to 14), Isabelle Daskoff (faixas: 9 to 14), Israel Baker (faixas: 9 to 14), Jerry Reisler (faixas: 9 to 14), John Wittenberg (faixas: 9 to 14), Joe Goodman (faixas: 9 to 14), Nathan Ross (faixas: 9 to 14), Paul Shure (faixas: 9 to 14), Bob Dubow (faixas: 9 to 14), Bob Lipsett (faixas: 9 to 14)
Violin, Concertmaster – Gerald Vinci (faixas: 9 to 14)
Vocals, Guitar – João Gilberto
Notas
Tracks 1-8 previously released as Amoroso
Tracks 9-14 previously released as Brasil
4.8.20
YELLOWJACKETS - Samurai Samba (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
3.6.20
MILES DAVIS - Tutu (1986-2001) Deluxe Edition / 2CD / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
The controversial but memorable Tutu is mostly a duet between Miles Davis and the many overdubbed instruments of producer Marcus Miller (although violinist Michal Urbaniak, percussionist Paulinho da Costa, and keyboardist George Duke are among the other musicians making brief apperaances). Certainly the results are not all that spontaneous, but Davis is in top form and some of the selections (most notably the title cut) are quite memorable. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1-2 –Miles Davis Tomaas 5:32
Written-By – Marcus Miller, Miles Davis
1-3 –Miles Davis Portia 6:18
Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-4 –Miles Davis Splatch 4:45
Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-5 –Miles Davis Backyard Ritual 4:49
Written-By – George Duke
1-6 –Miles Davis Perfect Way 4:32
Written-By – Gamson, Strohmeyer
1-7 –Miles Davis Don't Lose Your Mind 5:49
Written-By – Marcus Miller
Live Performance From Nice Festival, France, Previously Unreleased
2-1 –Miles Davis Octet Opening Medley 15:11
('Theme From Jack Johnson' / 'Speak' / 'That's What Happened')
Written-By – John Scofield, Miles Davis
2-2 –Miles Davis Octet New Blues 5:23
Written-By – Miles Davis
2-3 –Miles Davis Octet Maze 10:15
Written-By – Erin Davis
2-4 –Miles Davis Octet Human Nature 9:01
Written-By – Bettis, Porcaro
2-5 –Miles Davis Octet Portia 7:56
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2-6 –Miles Davis Octet Splatch 17:07
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2-7 –Miles Davis Octet Time After Time 7:26
Written-By – Lauper, Hyman
2-8 –Miles Davis Octet Carnival 4:17
Written-By – Neil Larsen
Credits:
Arranged By – George Duke (tracks: 1-5), Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-1 to 1-4, 1-6 to 1-8)
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-5)
Design [Original] – Susan Welt
Drums – Vincent Wilburn, Jr. (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Drums, Percussion – Omar Hakim (tracks: 1-2)
Electric Bass – Felton Crews (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Electric Violin – Michal Urbaniak (tracks: 1-7)
Guitar – Robben Ford (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Instruments [All Other] – George Duke (tracks: 1-5), Marcus Miller
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 1-1, 1-3 to 1-5), Steve Thornton (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Percussion [Additional] – Steve Reid (tracks: 1-4)
Programmed By [Synthesizer, Additional] – Adam Holzman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8), Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Saxophone – Bob Berg (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Synthesizer – Adam Holzman (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8), Robert Irving III (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Synthesizer [Additional] – Bernard Wright (tracks: 1-2, 1-7)
Synthesizer [Solo] – Adam Holzman (tracks: 1-4)
Trumpet – Miles Davis (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Trumpet, Synthesizer – Miles Davis (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
22.3.20
PAULINHO DA COSTA – Agora (1977-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
2.2.20
THE BRECKER BROTHERS - Detente (1980) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist:
1 You Ga (Ta Give It) 4:30
Composed By – Randy Brecker
Vocals – Carl Carwell, D. J. Rogers
2 Not Tonight 3:57
Composed By – Michael Brecker, Neil Jason
Lyrics By – Neil Jason
Vocals – Carl Carwell
3 Don't Get Funny With My Money 4:33
Lyrics By – Luther Vandross
Music By, Lyrics By – Randy Brecker
4 Tee'd Off 3:43
Composed By – Michael Brecker
5 You Left Something Behind 4:00
Lyrics By – Debra Barsha
Music By – Randy Brecker
6 Squish 5:51
Composed By – Randy Brecker
7 Dream Theme 5:39
Composed By – Randy Brecker
9 I Don't Know Either 5:48
Composed By – Michael Brecker
Credits:
Bass – Marcus Miller, Neil Jason
Drums – Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan
Guitar – David Spinozza, Jeff Mironov
Keyboards – Mark Gray, George Duke, Don Grolnick
Percussion – Airto Moreira, Ralph MacDonald, Paulinho da Costa
Producer – George Duke
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Michael Brecker
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Randy Brecker
Vocals – Carl Carwell, D. J. Rogers
1.2.20
CLAUS OGERMAN / MICHAEL BRECKER - Cityscape (1982) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
German-born composer and arranger Claus Ogerman, born in 1930, must rank as one of the most versatile musicians of the twentieth century. When he was at his peak in the 1970s, writing everything from ballet scores to arrangements for Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, diva Barbra Streisand, and jazz/R&B saxophonist George Benson, there was hardly a radio station on the dial where his music wasn't heard during the course of a typical day -- and he's still quite active. The key to his success has been his ability to stay in the background behind the musician he's working with and yet create something distinctive. This 1982 collaboration with the late jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker is one of his most successful works, not least because the overlap between the extended harmonies of jazz and the chromaticism of the late German Romantic polyphony in which Ogerman was trained is large enough to allow Brecker to operate comfortably -- his improvisations seem to grow naturally out of the background, and the intersections between jazz band and orchestral strings come more easily here than on almost any other crossover between jazz and classical music. The mood is nocturnal and reflective. Brecker at this point had not yet made an album as a bandleader; he was primarily known to those who closely followed jazz and R&B session musicians. The album was originally billed as a release by Claus Ogerman with Michael Brecker. Yet notice how skillfully Ogerman eases the fearsomely talented young saxophonist into the spotlight. The highlight of the album is a three-part suite called In the Presence and Absence of Each Other, and in its middle movement, track 5, the saxophone is silent until about a minute before the end -- yet everything in the piece leads up to this magical explosion of lyricism. The packaging describes this album as a "virtual concerto for saxophone and orchestra with jazz rhythm section," but it's a little more complicated than that -- actually, it's a concerto for jazz band, with saxophone leader, and orchestra. That creates several layers, and it is precisely in handling these layers where jazz/classical crossovers tend to fail -- and where Ogerman succeeds. A very sweet experience for listeners from either side of the divide. by James Manheim
7.11.18
GRORGE DUKE – 1977-1984 (9 Albums, Japanese Remasters 2014) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1. From Me to You (Duke) - 1:45
2. Carry On (Duke) - 4:36
3. What Do They Really Fear? (Duke) - 4:28
4. 'Scuse Me Miss (Duke) - 3:37
5. You and Me (Duke) - 3:41
6. Broken Dreams (Duke) - 2:50
7. Up on It (Duke) - 9:05
8. Seasons (Duke) - 5:45
9. Down in It (Duke-Clarke-Sembello-Chancler) - 1:22
10. Sing It (Duke) - 4:10
Credits:
George Duke - keyboards, vocals, percussion (5)
Stanley Clarke - acoustic bass (1,8), electric bass (7,9)
Byron Miller - electric bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Mike Sembello - electric and acoustic guitars
Diane Reeves - vocals (5,6)
Maxine Willard Waters, Julia Tillman Waters, Jessica Smith - background vocals
By 1977, the jazz content of George Duke's albums had decreased considerably, and soul and funk had become his main priorities. Reach for It has more to offer from an R&B standpoint than a jazz standpoint, though the fusion it does contain is first rate -- including the Latin-influenced "Hot Fire" and "Lemme at It" (an aggressive gem that's in a class with some of the keyboardist/pianist's best work with the Billy Cobham/Duke Band). Reach's heavy R&B content resulted in Duke facing the same accusation as George Benson, Patrice Rushen and other improvisers who moved away from jazz in the '70s -- that he was a sellout. But none of this CD's R&B content comes across as contrived or formulaic. In fact, Duke is downright inspired on the haunting "Just for You" and the Parliament-influenced title song. Even so, it's always regrettable when a gifted improviser pretty much abandons jazz -- and Duke is a prime example. It should be stressed that the high rating awarded this CD is primarily from an R&B standpoint -- and that those strictly interested in hearing Duke playing jazz would be better off investing in earlier efforts like Faces in Reflection. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. The Beginning (Duke) - 1:50
2. Lemme at It (Duke) - 4:14
3. Hot Fire (Chancler) - 5:31
4. Reach for It (Duke) - 4:54
5. Just for You (Duke) - 4:28
6. Omi (Fresh Water) (Duke) - 4:50
7. Searchin' My Mind (Duke) - 3:12
8. Watch Out Baby! (Duke-Chancler-Sembello-Clarke) - 5:25
9. Diamonds (Duke) - 6:45
10. The End (Duke) - 1:07
11. Bring It on Home (Duke) - 4:25
Credits :
George Duke - keyboards, vocals
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, remo roto toms, timbales, vocals (4,8)
Charles Icarus Johnson - guitar, vocals (4,9)
Deborah Thomas, Dee Henrichs, Sybil Thomas - vocals
Manolo Badrena - congas, bongos, percussion
Mike Sembello - guitar (8)
Raul de Souza - trombone (6)
Tracklist :
1. We Give Our Love (Duke-Chancler-Miller-Johnson) - 4:33
2. Morning Sun (Duke) - 4:15
3. Percussion Interlude (Chancler-Escovedo) - 2:02
4. Dukey Stick (Duke) - 6:07
5. Starting Again (Duke) - 4:30
6. Yeah, We Going (Chancler) - 3:41
7. The Way I Feel (Duke) - 4:45
8. Movin' On (Duke) - 4:23
9. Don't Let Go (Duke) - 3:26
10. Preface (Duke) - 1:30
11. The Future (Duke) - 3:28
12. Dukey Stick Part 1 (Duke) - 3:35
13. Dukey Stick Part 2 (Duke) - 4:43
14. Dukey Stick (12" Single Version) (Duke) - 8:07
Credits :
George Duke - keyboards, vocals, narration
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, narration (4), timbales
Byron Miller - bass, narration (4)
Charles "Icarus" Johnson - guitar, narration (4)
Sheila Escovedo - congas, percussion, nrration (4), vocals
Josie James, Napolean Murphy Brock - vocals
Petsye Powell, Pattie Brooks - background vocals
Roland Bautista - rhythm guitar (9)
Wah Wah Watson - Hot Licks (1)
Carol Shive - violin
Jody Geist - viola (10)
Tracklist :
1. Party Down (Duke-Champlin) - 3:10
2. Say That You Will (Duke) - 3:06
3. Funkin' for the Thrill (Miller) - 4:03
4. Sunrise (Duke) - 4:45
5. Festival (Duke) - 6:43
6. I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You) (Duke) - 5:19
7. Straight from the Heart (Duke) - 3:53
8. Corine (Duke) - 6:02
9. Pluck (Duke) - 4:48
10. Follow the Rainbow (Duke) - 1:28
11. I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You) (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:35
12. Pluck (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:25
Credits :
George Duke - vocals, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass, vocals (3)
Ricky Lawson - drums
Charles Icarus Johnson - guitar
Sheila Escovedo - percussion, vocals
Napolean Murphy Brook, Lynn Davis, Josie James - vocals
Everybody - narration
Tracklist :
1. Brazilian Love Affair (Duke) - 7:23
2. Summer Breezin' (Duke) - 4:49
3. Cravo e Canela (Nascimento-Bastos) - 3:06
4. Alone-6AM (Duke) - 1:07
5. Brazilian Sugar (Duke) - 5:34
6. Sugar Loaf Mountain (Duke) - 4:10
7. Love Reborn (Duke) - 4:28
8. Up from the Sea It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite (Duke) - 5:24
9. I Need You Now (Duke) - 4:43
10. Ao Que Vai Nascer (Nascimento-Brant) - 3:31
11. Caxanga (Nascimento-Brant) - 4:10
12. Brazilian Love Affair (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:52
Credits :
George Duke - piano, synthesizers
Milton Nascimento, Simone, George Duke - lead vocals
Byron Miller, Jamil Joanes - bass
Roberto Silva, Ricky Lawson - drums
Chico Batera, Airto Moreira, Sheila Escovedo - percussion
Toninho Horta, Roland Bautista - guitar
Raul de Souz, Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Larry Williams - alto saxophone
Lucinha Lins, Zeluiz, Flavio Faria, Lucia Turnbull, Flora Purim, Josie James, Lynn Davis - vocals
Murrey Adler - string contractor
Tracklist :
1. Look What You Find (Duke) - 4:45
2. Every Little Step I Take (Duke) - 3:49
3. Games (Escovedo-Duke) - 3:14
4. I Want You for Myself (Duke) - 6:38
5. In the Distance (Duke) - 2:24
6. I Love You More (Duke) - 3:06
7. Dog-Man (Duke) - 4:40
8. Everybody's Talkin' (Duke) - 4:19
9. Part 1 - The Alien Challenges the Stick (Duke-Miller-Lawson-Myles) - 2:27
10. Part 2 - The Alien Succumbs to the Macho Intergalactic Funkativity of the Funkblasters (Duke-Miller-Lawson-Myles) - 6:59
11. I Want You for Myself (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:55
12. Every Little Step I Take (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:43
Credits :
George Duke - vocals, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass
Ricky Lawson - drums
David Myles - electric guitars, sitar, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, Ovation
Sheila Escovedo - percussion, drums
Napoleon Brock, Lynn Davis, Josie James - vocals
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Ray Obeido, Roland Bautista - guitar
Gary Herbig - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, piccolo
Bill Reichenbach - trombone, bass trombone
Fred Washington - bass (3)
Gary Grant - trumpet (7)
Tracklist :
1. Shine On (Duke) - 5:13
2. You (Duke) - 4:39
3. Dream On (Martin-Pilate) - 4:02
4. I Will Always Be Your Friend (Duke) - 3:28
5. Framed (Duke) - 3:20
6. Ride on Love (Duke) - 5:26
7. Son of Reach for It (Miller-Duke-Chancler-Johnson) - 4:26
8. Someday (Duke) - 3:53
9. Positive Energy (Duke) - 3:35
10. Let Your Love Shine (Duke) - 4:31
11. Shine On (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:53
12. Ride on Love (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:58
Credits :
George Duke - lead vocals, piano, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Paulinho da Costa - percussion
Mike Sembelo, Charles "Icarus" Johnson - guitar
Carl Carlwell, Sybil Thomas, Dee Hendricks, Deborah Thomas, Flora Purim, Jean Carn - background vocals
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Larry Williams - saxophone
Strings:
Charles Veal,Jr. - concertmaster
Rosemary Veal - contractor
Mari Botnick, Bonnie Douglas, Henry Ferber, Ron Folsom, Franklin Foster, Bob Sanov, Carol Shive, Dorothy Wade, Ken Yerke, Sheldon Sanov, Paul Shure, Endre Granat, Arnold Belnick, Marcia Van Dyke - violin
Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Virginia Majenski, Barbara Thomason - viola
Julie Buffun, Paula Hochhalter, Dennis Karmazyn, Danny Rothmuller, Nils Oliver - cello
Tracklist :
1. Overture (Duke) - 1:38
2. Light (Duke) - 3:23
3. Shane (Duke) - 3:14
4. Born to Love You (Duke) - 3:10
5. Silly Fightin' (Duke) - 5:07
6. You (Are the Light) (Duke) - 4:16
7. The War Fugue Interlude (Duke) - 1:13
8. Reach Out (Duke) - 4:57
9. Give Me Your Love (Duke) - 4:19
10. Stand (Duke) - 2:14
11. Soon (Duke) - 2:43
12. Celebrate (Duke) - 3:54
13. Fly Away (Duke) - 4:03
14. Reach Out (12" Single Version) (Duke) - 6:54
Credits:
George Duke - vocals, keyborads
Louis Johnson, Byron Miller - bass
John Robinson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Michael Sembello, Charles Fearing, Johnny McGhee - guitar
Paulinho da Costa, Steve Forman - percussion
Craig Harris - vocorder programming
Jeffrey Osborne, Lynn Davis, Portia Griffin, Patti Austin,
George Duke - background vocals
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet
Larry Williams - tenor saxophone
Lou McCreary - trombone
Lynn Davis, Rachelle Fields, Portia Griffin, George Duke - handclaps
Strings:
Paul Shure, Charles Veal - concert master
Murray Adler, Israel Baker, Brenton Banks, Sherrill Coltrin Baptist, Bonnie Douglass, Assa Drori, Reginald Hill, Karen Jones, Nathan Ross, Sheldon Sanov, Robert Sushel, Mari Botnick, Henry Ferber, Ron Folsom, Franklin Foster, Bob Sanov, Carol Shive, Dorothy Wade, Ken Yerke, Endre Granat, Arnold Belnick, Marcia Can Dyke, Charles Veal, Jr - violin
Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Virginia Majenski, Barbara Thomason, Allan Harshman, Myer Bello, David Schwartz - viola
Douglas Davis, Raymond Kelley, Jan Kelley, Earl Madison, Julie Buffum, Paula Hochhalter, Dennis Karmazyn, Danny Rothermuller, Nils Oliver - cello
George Del Barrio - string conductor
Tracklist :
1. Got to Get Back to Love (Duke) - 5:31
2. Stay Awhile (Duke) - 2:59
3. Secret Rendezvous (Knight) - 4:53
4. Thinking of You (Duke) - 4:10
5. Take It On (Duke-Anderson) - 3:55
6. She Can Wait Forever (Leib) - 4:01
7. Better Ways (Duke) - 4:25
8. Your Life (Duke) - 2:49
9. Ipanema Lady (Duke) - 3:41
10. Secret Rendezvous (Single Edit) (Knight) - 4:11
Credits:
George Duke - vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, keyboards, Moog & ARP synthesizers, electronic drums, programming
Ernie Watts, Gary Herbig - tenor saxophone
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Chuck Findley - flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Larry Williams - flute, piccolo
Mike Sembello - guitar, background vocals
Paul Jackson, Charles Fearing - guitar
Stanley Clarke - piccolo bass
Nathan East, Byron Miller - bass
Steve Ferrone - drums, hi-hat
John Robinson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Paulinho da Costa - percussion, background vocals
Lynn Davis, Josie James, Oscar Castro-Neves - background vocals
1.3.18
SADAO WATANABE - Birds of Passage [1987]
Tracklist
1 Round Trip 5:51
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Dan Huff
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
2 Pastral 6:05
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Dan Huff
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
3 Salvador 5:03
Backing Vocals – Alexandria Brown, Carl Carwell, Lynn Davis, Maria Leporace
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Carlos Vega
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion, Backing Vocals – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone, Backing Vocals – Sadao Watanabe
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – George Duke
4 Just A Touch 4:36
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Carlos Vega
Flute – Hubert Laws
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – George Duke
5 Burung Burung "Birds" 5:39
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Carlos Vega
Flugelhorn – Freddie Hubbard
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – George Duke
6 Birds Of Passage 5:24
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Carlos Vega
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
7 Chaser 5:31
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – John Robinson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
8 Tanza Night 5:05
Backing Vocals – Daniel Acuna, Diana Acuna, Jimmy Haslip, Petsye Powell, Regina Acuna
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – John Robinson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Percussion, Backing Vocals – Alex Acuna
Saxophone, Backing Vocals – Sadao Watanabe
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JOACHIM KÜHN — Europeana : Jazzphony No. 1 (Michael Gibbs) (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Europeana won the Annual German Record Critics' Award upon its initial CD release in 1995. ACT Tracklist : 1 Castle In Heaven 4:16 Fr...