Stanley Cowell - New World (1981) [vinyl]

This album was released in 1981 by Ohio jazz pianist Stanley Cowell, one of the founders of the prestigious label "Strata East". It has a similar style as heard on his previous albums, but with a slightly sharper feeling, but still quite easy listening. In its favour are the fine arrangements and solos. Firstly, he presents the only standard, the well-known Duke Ellington piece "Come Sunday" which comes off well. "Ask Him" has a sacred gospel type chorus; "Island Of Haitoo" where the sound of the mbira produces a calypso sound; and a replay of a tune from "Regeneration", "I'm Trying To Find A Way", the rhythm is fusion that will get you dancing. Followed by "El Space-O" with its killer bassline and a strange 'spacey' electric piano, and then finally rounded off with "Sienna: Welcome To This New World". Essentially an album with a lyrical, sophisticated, and lively touch of the piano makes this LP a feel-good outing, Enjoy! 

Galaxy Records, GXY 5131, 1981
Recorded November, 1978 At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California 

Musicians:
Stanley Cowell - Piano, Electric Piano, Prepared Pianos, Kalimba,
Hammond Organ, Orchestra Chimes, Backing Vocals
Pat Patrick - Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Julian Priester - Alto, Tenor & Bass Trombones
Eddie Henderson - Trumpet, Electric Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Nate Rubin - Violin
Terry Adams - Cello
Cecil McBee - Bass
Roy Haynes - Drums
Kenneth Nash - Percussion
Judy Lacey - Vocals
Robert & Linda Mandolph - Vocals 

Tracks:
A1. Come Sunday {Duke Ellington} (8:39)
A2. Ask Him {Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee} (4:45)
A3. Island Of Haitoo {Stanley Cowell, Scott} (4:13)
B1. I'm Trying To Find A Way {Stanley Cowell, Viki McLaughlin} (7:27)
B2. El Space-O {Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee, Roy Haynes} (8:18)
B3. Sienna: Welcome To This New World {Stanley Cowell} (2:42) 

Total Time: 36:04

Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Engineer - Baker Bigsby
Assistant - Wally Buck
Mastering - George Horn
Art Direction & Design - Phil Carroll
Photography - Phil Bray 

Notes:
Arranger & Conductor - Stanley Cowell
Mixing & Mastering At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley 

A surprisingly righteous little album from Stanley Cowell - a set cut after his more famous music for the Strata East label, but one that still hangs onto a similar vibe! The style's a bit tighter than before, but still filled with soul and spirit - thanks to a lineup that includes Julian Priester on trombone, Eddie Henderson on trumpet, and Pat Patrick on reeds - making a key appearance here away from the Sun Ra Arkestra! Cowell plays both piano and keyboards, and the record has a bit of strings, and a bit of vocals - but all used tastefully, in ways that further enforce the depth of the tunes. Tracks include "El Space-O", "Ask Him", "Island Of Haitoo", and "I'm Tryin To Find A Way".  © Dusty Groove, Inc.