Joe Sample - The Hunter (1983)

Joe Sample returns to the smooth jazz style of his popular albums Rainbow Seeker, Carmel, and Voices in the Rain on 1983's The Hunter. The keyboardist fills up a studio with like-minded session musicians including trumpeter Tom Browne, horn players Chuck Findley, Jerry Hey, and Ernie Watts, guitarists Dean Parks, David Spinozza, and Phil Upchurch, bassists Abraham Laboriel and Marcus Miller, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and drummer Steve Gadd, and sets them loose on some rhythmic tracks with a rock/R&B feel. The beat is paramount, a constant augmented by funky, popping basslines, with guitar solos and horn charts overlaid. And, weaving in and out is Sample, on either acoustic or electric piano, finding room to solo extensively. The solos are more of the rock variety than what a conventional jazz fan would recognize, since they are anchored to the relentless beats. But Sample is one of the more accomplished players in smooth jazz, and his sidemen are able to support him and, when given the chance, match him in their playing. ~ by William Ruhlmann, AMG. 

MCA Records, MCAD-1471, 1983
Recorded at Sound Recorders, Hollywood and Salty Dog Studios, L.A., CA;
Except ‘The Hunter’ at A & R Studios, New York, N.Y. 

Musicians:
Joe Sample - Keyboards [Acoustic], Electric Piano, Synthesizer
Tom Browne - Trumpet [Lead], Soloist (#1)
Bill Reichenbach, Chuck Findley, Dick Hyde, Ernie Watts,
Jerry Hey, Larry Williams, Steve Madaio - Horns (#1,3-6)
John Phillips - Woodwinds (#2), Bass Clarinet, Soloist (#6)
Rory Kaplan - Programming [Synthesizers]
Galen Senogles - Synthesizer [Overdubs]
David Spinozza - Guitar (#1)
Phil Upchurch - Guitar, Soloist (#3)
Dean Parks - Guitar (#2-4,6), Soloist (#5), Rhythm Guitar (#5)
Marcus Miller - Bass (#1)
Abraham Laboriel - Bass (#2-6)
Steve Gadd - Drums (#1)
Bob Wilson - Drums (#2-6)
Paulinho da Costa - Percussion

Tracks:
1. The Hunter (5:48)
2. Blue Ballet (4:09)
3. Beauty And The Beast (6:29)
4. Wings Of Fire (5:25)
5. Just A Little Higher (5:32)
6. Night Flight (9:00) 

All compositions by Joe Sample 

Total Time: 36:26 

Credits:
Producer - Joe Sample, Wilton Felder
Executive Assistant - Tom Hooper
Recording Engineer - Jim Boyer (#1)
Recording & Mixing (#2) Engineer - Rik Pekkonen
Mixing - Galen Senogles, Wilton Felder (#1,3-6)
Mastering Engineer - Bernie Grundman [A&M Studios]
Coordinator - Pamela H. Lobue, Robin Howell
Art Direction - George Osaki
Painting [Cover] - Laddia Holly 

The Hunter

Robin Kenyatta - Gypsy Man (1972) [vinyl]

Sweet electric funk from Robin Kenyatta - but a set with some slightly complicated moments too! The album's a bit like some of Yusef Lateef's more electric moments on Atlantic, although probably not as cerebral overall - and Robin plays a range of reeds, including alto, flute, and soprano sax - the last of which is the best fit for the record, as Kenyatta plays it with a nicely snakey sort of style! Most tracks have a strong mix of keyboards and guitar - the former played by either Larry Willis or Pat Rebillot, the latter by David Spinoza or Keith Loving. Stanley Clarke plays bass on most of the set, and there's definitely some of his influence going on here too - and one track features added vocals by Robin and Lalome Wahsburn. Deodato arranged a version of "Last Tango In Paris" - and other titles include "Gypsy Man", "Melodie Chinoise", "Werewolf", "Another Freight Train", "Seems So Long", and "Reflective Silence". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Atlantic Records, SD 1633, 1973

Recorded & Mixed in September & October, 1972 at The Hit Factory, N.Y.

Personnel:

Robin Kenyatta - Soprano & Alto Saxes, Flute, Vocals

Al Deville - Trumpet (#B2)

Seldon Powell - Saxophone (#B2)

George Patterson - Saxophone (#B2)

Jack Philpot - Saxophone (#B2)

Larry Willis - Electric Piano

George Butcher - Piano, Organ

Pat Rebillot - Piano, Organ

Charles ‘Skip’ Pitts - Guitar [Wah Wah] (#A1)

David Spinozza - Guitar

Jimmy Wood - Guitar (#B2)

Keith Loving - Guitar

Stanley Clarke - Bass, Electric Bass

Ray Lucas - Drums (#A1)

Billy Cobham - Drums

Charles Collins - Drums

Rick Marotta - Drums

Ralph MacDonald - Percussion

Don Belamy - Vocals (#A1)

Lalome Washburn - Vocals

Tracks:

A1. Last Tango In Paris (Gato Barbieri} (4:49)

A2. Another Freight Train {Robin Kenyatta} (3:36)

A3. Werewolf {Robert W. McPherson} (4:26)

A4. Reflective Silence {Robin Kenyatta} (5:19)

B1. Seems So Long {Stevie Wonder} (3:52)

B2. Gypsy Man {Robin Kenyatta} (5:22)

B3. Melodie Chinoise {Robin Kenyatta} (5:45)

B4. I've Got Dreams To Remember {Otis Redding, Zelma Redding} (6:16)

Credits:

Producer - Michael Cuscuna

Recording Engineer - Harry Maslin

Arranger - Eumir Deodato (#A1), Robin Kenyatta (#A2,A4-B4), Robert W. McPherson (#A3)

Photography [Backliner] - Penny Scherr

Photography [Cover] - Joel Brodsky

Design - Haig Adishian

Art Farmer with Joe Henderson - Yama (1979) [vinyl>flac, 24-bit/48khz]

Many critics have looked upon the majority of CTI recordings as a ploy to commercialise jazz, Scott Yanow being no exception. However, when approached again with newer ears and less prejudice, Creed Taylor has certainly left a legacy of some very fine albums. This album in particular finds Art Farmer playing beautifully alongside Joe Henderson’s solid tenor; producing some very powerful Jazz-Funk/Fusion interpretations. It is an LP which I have relished for many a year. Ripped to FLAC at 24-bit/48khz I hope you also will find it just as fascinating and enjoyable.

Trumpeter Art Farmer has recorded six albums in his name for the CTI label whose enigmatic "Guanabara" with Brazilian singer Ithamara Koorax, which was never published. It is also found on the album of Bob James' BJ4 "and that of Yusef Lateef" Autophysiopsychic ". His lyrical breath, his balanced phrasing, his game while retaining, at times reminiscent of Chet Baker. Throughout his career, he faced several music styles without losing his soul or his talent, as demonstrated by this recording from 1979 with a funky rhythm section. As usual, he plays in a duo orchestra. We remember the wonderful "Big Blues" with Jim Hall recorded a year earlier. But this time, the saxophonist Joe Henderson, another jazz legend, who shares the bill. His quick game lets out moments of incredible sweetness. The texture of his sound is unique in these moments. Despite the presence of excellent classmates (Steve Gadd, Will Lee, David Spinozza, John Tropea ...), the result is rather mixed. Vibraphonist Mike Maineri, in control for the first time, seems to fail creating a real osmosis between all these musicians.  ~ ctifanblog.

Flugelhornist Art Farmer's fourth and final LP for CTI also features tenor-saxophonist Joe Henderson. The material (which includes originals by Clare Fischer, Joe Zawinul, Don Grolnick and Mike Mainieri) is not the most memorable and the funky rhythm section (which is greatly expanded) does not really blend all that well with the styles of Farmer and Henderson so this set is not as exciting as one might hope. A decent but largely forgettable effort. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

CTI Records, CTI 9000, 1979

Recorded and Mixed April 1979 at Power Station Studios, New York

Personnel:

Art Farmer - Flugelhorn

Joe Henderson - Tenor Saxophone

Don Grolnick, Warren Bernhardt, Fred Hersch - Keyboards

Mike Mainieri - Synthesizer, Vibraphone, Arranger

David Spinozza, John Tropea - Guitar

Eddie Gomez - Bass

Will Lee - Electric-Bass

Steve Gadd - Drums

Sammy Figueroa - Percussion

Suzanne Cianni - Synthesizer Programming

Track Listing:

A1. Dulzura {Clare Fischer} (8:21)

A2. Stop [I Think Again] {Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb} (4:08)

A3. Young And Fine {Joseph Zawinul} (6:26)

B1. Lotus Blossom {Don Grolnick} (6:43)

B2. Blue Montreux {Mike Mainieri} (7:12)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Associate Producer, Arranger - Mike Maineri

Engineer - Neil Dorfsman

Mastering - Rudy Van Gelder

Cover Illustration - Susannah Kelly

Cover Design & Photography [inside] - Alen MacWeeney

Design - Neal Pozner

Calligraphy - Bernard Maisner