Ray Bryant - The Ray Bryant Touch (1967) [vinyl>flac]

Here’s another classic LP by Ray Bryant on the rare and elusive Cadet label. As usual Ray’s piano playing is simply marvellous as is the backing by his crack rhythm section; being Jimmy Rowser on bass and Rudy Collins on Drums. This album comprises of recordings taken from a live gig at Memory Lane L.A. All the excitement and showmanship of the trio is well and truly on display here. Four of the seven tunes are penned by Bryant; the others match with Soul Jazz appeal. In the end you wish you could have been there to share in the exuberance. Enjoy!

Simple stuff - but very nice! Ray's working here in a live trio setting - ala Ramsey Lewis or Les McCann from the same time - and his work on the album has a similar gutbuckety soul feel to it. The rhythm section of Jimmy Rowser bass and Rudy Collins drums is very tight - and the best cuts kick along with a heavy groove that's a lot more than you'd expect from the setting. Titles include "Little Suzie", "Takin My Ease", "City Tribal Dance", and "Prayer Song". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Cadet Records, LPS 793, 1967

Recorded 19^th & 20^th May, 1967 Live at Memory Lane, Los Angeles, California

Personnel:

Ray Bryant - Piano

Jimmy Rowser - Bass

Rudy Collins - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Little Suzie {Ray Bryant} (5:00)

A2. Is All I Ask {Gordon Jenkins} (5:34)

A3. City Tribal Dance {Ray Bryant} (2:27)

A4. Prayer Song This {Ray Bryant} (4:09)

B1. You Keep Me Hangin' On {Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland} (5:14)

B2. Talkin' My Ease {Ray Bryant} (5:19)

B3. And I Love Her {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (7:31)

Credits:

Producer - Esmond Edwards

Engineer - Wally Heider

Design [Cover] - Jerry Griffith

Photography [Cover] - Don S. Bornstein

Liner Notes - Jack Springer (WCHB & WCHD, Detroit)

Notes:

Released as LP on Bellaphon/Chess 4019 (Germany, 1967)

and LP on Baybridge ULS-6113-BC (Japan, 1983)