Charles
Earland is definitely a survivor. The Hammond hero had lost his first wife to
cancer when he made a triumphant return to soul-jazz in the late '80s, and he
had recovered from a major heart attack when he recorded the appropriately
titled Unforgettable. Earland was in the Intensive Care Unit in August 1991,
and by December 1991, was back in the studio to record this superb and varied
CD. The Philadelphian stressed that he was lucky to be alive, and he celebrates
his survival with imaginative interpretations of everything from Joe
Henderson's The Kicker to Nat King Cole's Unforgettable (which he takes a
medium speed instead of its usual ballad tempo) to Santana's Europa. Earland
has consistently demonstrated that commercial appeal and accessibility can go
hand-in-hand with musical integrity, and Unforgettable is one of many fine
examples. ~ Alex Henderson, AMG.
Muse
Records, MCD-5455, 1992
Recorded
6th December, 1991 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Musicians:
Charles
Earland - Organ
Kenny Rampton - Trumpet
Clifford Adams - Trombone
Eric Alexander - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones
Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone (#1,5,7)
Oliver Nevels - Guitar
Gregory Williams - Drums (#1,2,5)
Buddy Williams - Drums (#3,4,6,7)
Larry Killian - Percussion
Tracks:
1.
Unforgettable {Gordon} (5:26)
2. Europa [Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile] {Santana}
(12:49)
3. Sheila {Earland} (6:32)
4. Commitment To Love {Earland} (5:46)
5. Heart Attack {Earland} (4:52)
6. Yes, I Love Her {Earland} (6:53)
7. The Kicker {Henderson} (3:34)
Credits:
Producer
- Houston Person
Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Cover Photo - Tom Barnhart
Back Photo - Joe Flint
Graphic Design - Ron Warwell/NJE
