Charles Earland - Mama Roots (1978) [re-rip]

Amazing late 70s work from Charles Earland – quite different material than his contemporaneous sets for Mercury and Columbia, and much more the rootsy soul jazz he first cut at Prestige! The tracks are long, and filled with rhythms – that undeniable Earland groove, which is laid out here beautifully on the Hammond – in a real no-nonsense sort of style that holds up wonderfully over the years. Players are great throughout – and include Dave Schnitter and George Coleman on tenor, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, and Walter Perkins on drums. Titles include "Undecided", "The Dozens", "Mama Roots", "Red Green & Black Blues", "Old Folks", and "Bluesette". ~ Dusty Groove Inc.,

Organist Charles Earland recorded nine albums for the Muse label between 1977 and 1995. None stand out particularly, but each had its share of solid, organ-combo swing and programs of mostly blues and ballads. This music was all recorded between Earland's more commercial (and less memorable) outings on Mercury and Columbia and catch the organ grinder in a kind of Jimmy Smith bag (reinforced even more when paired with Wes-like guitarist Jimmy Ponder). While the funk and the fire in Earland's playing had been missing since at least his last Prestige record (1974), there's an insistently melodic and appealing groove throughout this set. Another advantage is that the majority of the tunes here are Earland originals: slow burners that really let the organist cook nicely on a low flame. There are several nice features for George Coleman on tenor sax. A surprisingly cohesive set with an enjoyable after-hours feel. ~ by Douglas Payne.

Muse Records, MR 5156, 1978

Recorded at Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Charles Earland - Organ

Dave Schnitter - Tenor Saxophone (#A1)

George Coleman - Tenor Saxophone

Jimmy Ponder - Guitar

Walter Perkins - Drums (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Bobby Durham - Drums (#A3,B3)

Tracks:

A1. Undecided {Charlie Shavers} (7:45)

A2. The Dozens {Charles Earland} (3:46)

A3. Red, Green & Black Blues {Charles Earland} (4:54)

B1. Mama Roots {Charles Earland} (6:34)

B2. Old Folks {Willard Robison} (5:27)

B3. Bluesette {Toots Thielemans, Norman Gimbel} (6:38)

Credits:

Producer - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Cover Design - Ron Warwell

Cover Photography - Clarence Eastmond

Liner Notes - Tony Outhwaite

Charlie Earland - Smokin' (1977) [re-rip]

Fine mid-'70s sextet set featuring Earland's customary soul-jazz, blues, and funk, with uptempo and ballad originals. Tenor saxophonists David Schnitter and George Coleman excel, as does guitarist Jimmy Ponder. ~ by Ron Wynn, AMG.

Killer work by Charles Earland – a back to basics set of grooving tunes that are cut in the best soul jazz mode of earlier years! Earland heads a great group that includes Jimmy Ponder on guitar, George Coleman on tenor, and Walter Perkins on drums – and the set swings high, wide, and mightily with that tight groove that Charles always has on these straight soul jazz sets. With a very hot version of "Milestones", plus "Penn Relays", "Soon It's Gonna Rain", and an excellent uptempo take on "Strangers In The Night". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Muse Records, MR 5126, 1977

Recorded at Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

Charles Earland - Organ [Hammond B-3]

Dave Schnitter - Tenor Saxophone

George Coleman - Tenor Saxophone

Jimmy Ponder - Guitar

Bobby Durham - Drums (#A1,A2), Keyboards (#A2)

Walter Perkins - Drums (#A3,B1,B2)

Herb Fisher - Percussion

Tracks:

A1. Penn Relays {Charles Earland} (5:48)

A2. Danny Boy's Blues {Dave Paul} (3:53)

A3. Milestones #2 {Miles Davis} (8:25)

B1. Soon It's Gonna Rain {Tom Jones, Harvey Schmidt} (9:38)

B2. Strangers In The Night {Bert Kaempfert} (4:58)

Credits:

Producer - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design [Cover], Photography - Hal Wilson

Liner Notes - Frederick I Douglass

Charles Earland - Muse Albums [vinyl>flac]

5126 - Smokin' (1977)
5156 - Mama Roots (1978)
5181 - Infant Eyes (1979)
5201 - Pleasant Afternoon (1981)
5240 - In The Pocket (1982)

These albums represent the output on Muse Records of the great Hammond B-3 master, Charles Earland throughout the seventies and early eighties. Many of these records are not easily found and have been ripped from the original vinyl LPs. The listener is given an opportunity to hear some dynamic Soul Jazz. He is joined by a vast number of players that were well-known or emerging stars. Just take a cursory glance at the personnel lists below you are sure to find the makings of some super group combinations.

[1] Smokin’

Muse Records, MR 5126, 1977

A1. Penn Relays {Charles Earland} (6:00)

A2. Danny Boy's Blues {D. Paul} (3:50)

A3. Milestones #2 {Miles Davis} (8:50)

B1. Soon It's Gonna Rain {Tom Jones, Harvey Schmidt} (9:30)

B2. Strangers In The Night {Bert Kaempfert} (5:30)

Charles Earland - Organ [Hammond B-3]

Dave Schnitter - Tenor Saxophone

George Coleman - Tenor Saxophone

Jimmy Ponder - Guitar

Bobby Durham - Drums (Tracks: A1, A2), Keyboards (Track: A2)

Walter Perkins - Drums (Tracks: A3, B1, B2)

Herb Fisher - Percussion

[2] Mama Roots

Muse Records, MR 5156, 1978

A1. Undecided {Charlie Shavers} (7:45)

A2. The Dozens {Charles Earland} (3:46)

A3. Red, Green & Black Blues {Charles Earland} (4:54)

B1. Mama Roots {Charles Earland} (6:34)

B2. Old Folks {Willard Robison} (5:27)

B3. Bluesette {Toots Thielemans, Norman Gimbel} (6:38)

Charles Earland - Organ

Dave Schnitter - Tenor Saxophone (#A1)

George Coleman - Tenor Saxophone

Jimmy Ponder - Guitar

Walter Perkins - Drums (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Bobby Durham - Drums (#A3,B3)

[3] Infant Eyes

Muse Records, MR 5181, 1979

A1. We Are Not Alone (5:06)

A2. Blues For Rudy (11:43)

B1. The Thang (7:11)

B2. Infant Eyes (6:17)

B3. Is It Necessary? (4:56)

Charles Earland - Hammond Organ

Bill Hardman - Trumpet

Frank Wess - Tenor Saxophone, Flute

Mack Goldsbury  - Tenor Saxophone (#A2)

Jimmy Ponder - Guitar (#A1,A2)

Melvin Sparks - Guitar (#B1-B3)

Grady Tate - Drums

Lawrence Killian - Percussion

[4] Pleasant Afternoon

Muse Records, MR 5201, rec. 1978; rel. 1981

A1. Murilley (6:29)

A2. A Prayer (3:47)

A3. Organic Blues (7:25)

B1. Pleasant Afternoon (11:00)

B2. Three Blind Mice (6:16)

Charles Earland - Organ, Hammond Organ, Vocals

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Bill Hardman - Trumpet

Melvin Sparks - Guitar

Grady Tate - Drums

Ralph Dorsey - Percussion, Conga

[5] In The Pocket

Muse Records, MR 5240, 1982

A1. Tackhead {Charles Earland} (9:47)

A2. In The Alley {Charles Earland} (8:04)

B1. Grant's Groove {Melvin Sparks} (4:51)

B2. A Good Date {Charles Earland} (5:09)

B3. Ballad For Mom {Charles Earland} (6:49)

Charles Earland - Organ

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Melvin Sparks - Guitar

Idris Muhammad - Drums