Listening Room – “Upon This Rock”
Joe Farrell - "Upon This Rock"
From "Upon This Rock" : 1974 : CTI 6042
This 1974 fusion extravaganza was Joe Farrell's fifth release in a string of fantastic records for CTI. This album again features the guitar talents of Joe Beck, who could have easily been credited as a co-leader, as his instrument is front and center throughout the entire recording. Farrell shows off his many talents, switching between the tenor and alto saxophones as well as the flute. The record opens with the blistering Weathervane, while the title track settles into a groove as Beck and Farrell have their way with the funky melody. For whatever reason, this album is currently out-of-print.
Players:
Joe Farrell - Tenor & Soprano Sax, Flute
Joe Beck - Guitar
Herbie Hancock - Piano
Herb Bushler - Bass
Don Alias - Conga
Jim Madison - Drums
Listening Room – “Sunflower”
Milt Jackson - What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?
From "Sunflower" : 1972 : CTI 6024
Another CTI classic from the early 70's and although this one has a larger ensemble it still stays away from the over-produced commercialized sound the label would soon be putting out. Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock are simply spectacular throughout, especially on the title track. Billy Cobham's drumming stays in the groove and the interplay between him and Milt Jackson is really happening. What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life is a ballad shows off the skills that made Jackson a legend on the vibes and the string arrangements are for the most part tasteful and not over the top.
Players:
Milt Jackson - Vibes
Freddie Hubbard - Flugelhorn
George Marge - Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, English Horn
Phil Bodner - Flute, Piccolo, English Horn
Romeo Penque - Oboe, English Horn
Herbie Hancock - Piano, Electric Piano
Jay Berliner - Guitar
Ron Carter - Bass
Billy Cobham - Drums
Ralph MacDonald - Percussion
Max Ellen, Paul Gershman, Emanuel Green,
Charles Libove, Joe Malin, David Nadien,
Gene Orloff & Elliot Rosoff - Violins
Charles McCracken, George Ricci
& Alan Shulman - Cellos
Margaret Ross - Harp
Don Sebesky - Arranger, Conductor
Listening Room (Repost) – “Keep Your Soul Together”
Freddie Hubbard -"Keep Your Soul Together"
Freddie Hubbard - "Destiny's Children"
From "Keep Your Soul Together" : 1973 : CTI Records 6036
Recently scored myself a pristine copy of this on vinyl and have been trying not to wear it out listening to it too much. Just an awesome album from start to finish, has to be counted among Hubbard's best moments in the studio.
Players:
Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet
Junior Cook - Tenor
George Cables - Keyboards
Aurell Ray - Guitar
Ron Carter - Bass
Kent Brinkley - Bass
Ralph Penland - Drums
Juno Lewis - Percussion
Listening Room – “Crawl Space”
From "Crawl Space" : 1977 : CTI 7073
This out-of-print LP finds Art Farmer leading a talented group in four very relaxed and spacious compositions. There is great interplay between the band and even though the music is laid back there is lots of interesting playing throughout. All of Farmer's late 70's CTI albums are worth trying to track down.
Players:
Art Farmer - Fluglehorn
Jeremy Steig - Flute
Eric Gale - Guitar
Dave Grusin - Keyboards
George Mraz - Bass
Will Lee - Bass
Steve Gadd - Drums
Listening Room – “Moon Germs”
This 1973 release by Joe Farrell on CTI was his attempt to throw his hat into the ring of electric jazz and he made quite a statement when he did. Joined by Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke and Jack DeJohnette, "Moon Germs" finds Farrell leading the talented group on three Chick Corea penned tracks and one written by Clarke (Bass Folk Song). The music is angular and (for the time) very adventurous. While CTI is often maligned for Creed Taylor's use of "big" production, "Moon Germs" has none of that and the record is a great example of early jazz fusion at its best.
Released 1973 : CTI Records : Catalog # 6023
Players:
Joe Farrell - Soprano Sax, Flute
Herbie Hancock - Piano
Stanley Clarke - Bass
Jack DeJohnette - Drums
Listening Room – “All Blues”
Ron Carter - A Feeling
Ron Carter - All Blues
From "All Blues" : 1973 : CTI Records # 6037
A great release by bassist Ron Carter from 1973 while he was recording for Creed Taylor's CTI Records. A quartet recording featuring Joe Henderson, Roland Hanna and Billy Cobham, much of the music is laid back (even for the blues) and the group's take on Miles' famous All Blues is exceptional. For some reason this album is out of print (as are many of the great CTI recordings) on CD.
Players:
Joe Henderson - Tenor Sax
Roland Hanna - Piano
Ron Carter - Bass
Billy Cobham - Drums
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Recent Posts
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- Listening Room – “Upon This Rock”
- Listening Room – “The Jaki Byard Experience”
- Listening Room – “Inside Straight”
- Listening Room – “Coltrane Playlist #2″
- Listening Room – “Hank & Frank” (R.I.P. Hank Jones)
- Listening Room – “Roots & Herbs”
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Recent Comments
- RPS: Cool fire indeed. Perfect music to go along with some work I’m doing at the moment. Thanks.
- Straight No Chaser: A true favorite of mine – thanks for passing it on to the world
- Jazz Sermon: I have only ever seen the “kirkbam” listed in 2 spots: this album and the double LP...
- RPS: Thanks for this. A terrific group of musicians, and a ‘fist fight’ indeed, but what a fantastic...
- Jazz Sermon: I did forget to add that they were brothers, but I didn’t realize that they were also twins....
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- All Music Guide
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