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

Joe Sample - Rhino Hi-Five (2007)

A fine compilation of Joe Sample tracks selected by Rhino Records as part of their Hi-Five series of digital downloads released in 2007. 

Rhino Records, Digital Download, 2007 

Musicians:
Joe Sample - Piano, Piano [Electric], Keyboards, Synthesizer, Arranger
Larry Williams, Ricky Peterson - Synthesizer
St. Paul, Michael Landau - Guitar
Dean Parks - Guitar [Electric]
Marcus Miller - Bass
Steve Gadd, Omar Hakim - Drums
Lenny Castro - Percussion
Jason Miles, Robbie Buchanan - Programming
Lori Perry, Lynn Davis, Jim Gilstrap - Vocals [Background] 

Tracks:
1. Spellbound {Joe Sample} (4:29)
2. Ashes To Ashes {Joe Sample} (4:53)
3. Invitation {Bronislaw Kaper} (4:21)
4. Stormy Weather {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (5:01)
5. Street Life {Joe Sample} (5:04) 

Total Time: 23:52 

Credits:
Producer - Joe Sample, George Duke, Tommy LiPuma

Stanley Turrentine - Pieces Of Dreams (1974) [vinyl>re-rip]

“Pieces of Dreams” is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, his first recorded for the Fantasy label after associations with Blue Note Records and CTI. The title track is certainly the tenorist’s standout on this LP, a classic for its time composed by Michel LeGrand, when jazz was entering a commercial period to counteract the onslaught of Rock/Pop. Turrentine's tenor is combined with various electric keyboards, guitarists, a few background vocalists, and strings, which are all arranged by Gene Page, who with Billy Page pen a couple of compositions. In many ways this album is very enjoyable despite its smooth jazz sound. Stanley still showcases his ability to handle his horn magnificently within some brilliantly arranged modern tunes. Certainly worth re-investigating! 

Fantasy Records, F-9465, 1974
Recorded 30th & 31st May, 1974 at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California 

Musicians:
Stanley Turrentine - Tenor Saxophone
Gene Page, John Miller, Sonny Burke - Keyboards
David T. Walker, Dean Parks, Ray Parker, Jr. - Guitar
Ron Brown - Bass
Ed Greene - Drums
Ed Moore - Drums (#A1)
Gary Coleman - Percussion
Joe Clayton - Congas
Carolyn Willis, Edna Wright, Myrna Matthews - Backing Vocals
Arranger, Conductor - Gene Page 

Tracks:
A1. Pieces Of Dreams {Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel LeGrand} (4:36)
A2. I Know It's You {Leon Ware} (4:08)
A3. Deep In Love {Billy Page, Gene Page {Arr.}, Johannes Brahms} (4:27)
B1. Midnight And You {Billy Page, Gene Page} (4:00)
B2. Evil {Stevie Wonder} (4:36)
B3. Blanket On The Beach {Billy Page, Gene Page} (6:23)
B4. I'm In Love {Bobby Womack} (4:02) 

Credits:
Producer - Billy Page, Gene Page, Stanley Turrentine
Executive Producer - Ron Granger
Production Coordinator - Olivia Page
Recording Engineer - Jim Stern
Additional Recording and Remix Engineer - Stan Ross
Art Direction - Phil Carroll
Art Direction, Liner Photography - Tony Lane
Cover Art - Jaymie Putnam

Joe Sample - The Pecan Tree (2002)

The Pecan Tree is a collection of 11 compositions from master pianist/composer Joe Sample that were inspired by his Southeast Texas roots and influences. As a founding member of the pioneering quartet the Jazz Crusaders and as a solo artist, the pianist has created an impressive musical style based upon his early appreciation for jazz, gospel, soul, bebop, blues, Latin, and classical music. The Pecan Tree features many of those musical genres performed with such special guests as Lenny Castro and Paulinho da Costa on percussion, renowned R&B vocalist Howard Hewett, and newcomer Lizz Wright. Sample's Quintet kicks off the set with the title track, a Latin-tinged mid-tempo instrumental that features Sample's beautiful melodicism in harmony with the percussive mastery of Lenny Castro. The ensemble brings their creativity ingenuity to "Hot and Humid," a sweltering musical story of the region's weather condition. You can literally feel the heat from Sample's fiery piano chops. The soulful voice of Howard Hewett on "With These Hands" also makes this CD entertaining. He envelopes the listener with his gospel-tinged R&B tenor and holds you spellbound throughout this lovely ballad with his powerful range and heartfelt lyricism. The Pecan Tree is an apt tribute in the form of choice songs that describe Sample's true essence as a great musical storyteller and ranks alongside his smash hit Carmel with respect to his ability to deliver musical metaphors through smart phrasing and compelling melodies that reflect local settings. ~  by Paula Edelstein, AMG. 

P.R.A. Records, 314 589 508-2, 2002
Recorded at Bill Schnee Studios, Hollywood, California
Recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California 

Musicians:
Joe Sample - Piano
Peter Wolf - Synthesizer
Dean Parks - Guitar
Jay Anderson - Bass
Larry Aberman - Drums (#1-4,6,8-11)
James Gadson - Drums (#5,7)
Lenny Castro - Percussion (#1,2,4-6,8-11)
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion (#3,7)
Lizz Wright - Vocals (#3,5)
Howard Hewett - Vocals (#7,9) 

Tracks:
01. The Pecan Tree {Joe Sample} (5:24)
02. Hot And Humid {Joe Sample} (4:39)
03. No One But Myself To Blame {Joe Sample, Jonathan Brooke} (5:16)
04. X Marks The Spot [Marie Laveau] {Joe Sample} (5:11)
05. Fool's Gold {Joe Sample, Jonathan Brooke} (5:20)
06. Spanish Moss {Joe Sample} (5:00)
07. In A Heartbeat {Lauren Wild, Nicklas Sample} (5:00)
08. El Dorado {Joe Sample} (5:14)
09. With These Hands {Abner Silver, Benny Davis} (5:24)
10. The Texas Two Step {Joe Sample} (3:40)
11. Memories {Joe Sample} (3:51) 

Total Time: 54:04 

Credits:
Producer - Joe Sample
Producer, Engineer, Mixing Engineer - Bill Schnee
Producer [Assistant] - Jill Heatherly
Engineer [Assistant] - Koji Egawa, Ryan Petrie, Tom Sweeny
Mastering Engineer - Doug Sax
Artwork, Cover Art - Bill Traylor
Art Direction - John Cabalka
Photography - Steven Silverstein 

With These Hands

Randy Crawford - Secret Combination (1981)

It is little wonder that Secret Combination remains Randy Crawford's most successful album in the UK. It is a superb collection of well-chosen material, expertly played by the cream of L.A session players and sung with great conviction. Macon, Georgia-born Crawford had first risen to prominence in the UK as the featured vocalist on the Crusaders' Street Life in 1979, and enjoyed her first solo hit the following year with One Day I'll Fly Away. Secret Combination, released in May 1981, was the album that capitalised on this success. Although Crawford had previously been an earthy jazz singer, Secret Combination barely breaks a sweat. Produced by Tommy LiPuma (the man responsible for turning George Benson from a jazzer into a commercial superstar) and it is consistently pleasant, radio-friendly pop-soul. What bite there is can be found on lead single You Might Need Somebody, a Hollywood-softened dirty blues and the album's closer, Trade Winds. Crawford imbues everything with a honeyed experience - none more so than on the title track where her quiet steadfastness retains the love of the song’s hero. Secret Combination’s covers excel: Crawford's version of Tony Joe White's A Rainy Night In Georgia may lack the despair of Brook Benton's famous reading, but sweetens the longing. That's How Heartaches Are Made (made famous by 'Baby' Washington/the Marvelettes) makes the song's desperation almost playful. In 1981, Secret Combination seemed to be everywhere. It spent 60 weeks on the UK charts and reached No. 2. And in 1982, she won the Best Female Artist award at the Brits on the strength of this record. It remains a delightful time-capsule, perfect for sunny Sunday mornings. ~ Daryl Easlea, 2009, BBC Review. 

Warner Bros., 7599-23541-2, 1990?
Recorded and Mixed at Sound Labs and Capitol Recording, Hollywood 

Personnel:
Randy Crawford - Vocals
Ernie Watts - Flute, Solo (#B1)
Chuck Findley - Horn
Gary Herbig - Horn
Larry Williams - Horn
Bill Reichenbach Jr. - Horn
Jim Horn - Horn
Leon Pendarvis - Piano, Keyboards, Arranger [Rhythm]
Neil Larsen - Organ (#A2,B3,B5), Keyboards
Dean Parks - Guitar
Robben Ford - Guitar, Guitar [Electric] (#A4)
Steve Lukather - Guitar
Abraham Laboriel, Sr. - Bass
Jeff Porcaro - Drums
Lenny Castro - Percussion
Marti McCall - Vocals [Background]
Petsye Powell - Vocals [Background]
Alfie Silas - Vocals [Background]
Phyllis Saint James - Vocals [Background]
=============================================
Arranger [Strings] - Nick DeCaro (#A1,A3,A4,B1,B2,B4,B5)
Bill Reichenbach - Arranger [Horns] (#A1,B3)
Dale Oehler - Arranger [Strings] (#A2,A5)
Arranger [Horns] - Larry Williams (#B3) 

Tracks:
A1. You Might Need Somebody {Tom Snow, Nan O'Byrne} (4:19)
A2. Rainy Night In Georgia {Tony Joe White} (4:22)
A3. That's How Heartaches Are Made {Ben Raleigh, Bob Halley} (2:57)
A4. Two Lives {Mark Jordan} (3:47)
A5. You Bring The Sun Out {Tom Snow, Jesse Dixon} (3:23)
B1. Rio De Janeiro Blue {Richard Torrance, John Haeny} (4:18)
B2. Secret Combination {Tom Snow, Frannie Golde}  (3:24)
B3. When I Lose My Way {Turley Richards} (3:44)
B4. Time For Love {Leon Russell} (4:15)
B5. Trade Winds {Ralph MacDonald, William Salter} (4:55) 

Total Time: 39:28 

Credits:
Producer - Tommy LiPuma
Recording & Mixing - Al Schmitt
Assistant Engineer - Stewart Whitmore, Don Henderson
Production Coordination - Noel Newbolt
Original Mastering - Mike Reese
CD Remastering - Lee Herschberg
Art Direction - Richard Seireeni
Photography - Phillip Dixon 

Secret Combination on Two Ronnies Show

Randy Crawford - Now We May Begin (1980)

The Crusaders produced this '80 album, one of the better Randy Crawford sets. The song "Last Night At Danceland" was a hit, while the album cut "One Day I'll Fly Away" got widespread radio airplay and did well in the international market. Crawford's quivering delivery and eclectic nature has made it difficult for record companies to target and market her material; this was one of the few times she penetrated the urban contemporary and R&B markets. ~ by Ron Wynn, AMG. 

Warner Brothers Records, 7599-23421-2, 1991
Recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders, Los Angeles, CA;
Wizard Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California 

Musicians:
Randy Crawford - Vocals
Joe Sample - Keyboards, Arranger [Strings]
Oscar Brashear - Trumpet (#3)
Dean Parks, Roland Bautista, Tim May - Guitar
David T. Walker - Guitar (#2)
Wilton Felder - Bass, Tenor Saxophone (#7)
Abraham Laboriel - Bass
Stix Hooper, Mike Baird - Drums
Eddie Brown, Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
Gwen Owens, Julia Tillman, Maxine Willard, Melvin Franklin - Backing Vocals 

Tracks:
1. Last Night At Danceland {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (4:57)
2. Tender Falls The Rain {Randy Crawford} (4:11)
3. My Heart Is Not As Young As It Used To Be {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (3:54)
4. Now We May Begin {Joe Sample} (4:56)
5. Blue Flame {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (6:28)
6. One Day I'll Fly Away {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (5:02)
7. Same Old Story (Same Old Song] {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (4:08)
8. When Your Life Was Low {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (3:20) 

Total Time: 36:59 

Credits:
Producer - Stix Hooper, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder [Crusaders Records Productions Inc.]
Engineer - Jeremy Smith
Engineer [Assistant] - Bill Koepnick, Hill Brin Swimmer
Mixing - Howard Siegel, Rick Ruggieri, Bob Margouleff
Mastering - Bernie Grundman
Production Coordinator - Pamela Hope Lobue
Special Equipment Coordinator - Michael Lovelady
Photography - Norman Seeff
Art Direction - Richard Seireeni 

One Day I'll Fly Away

Freddie Hubbard - High Energy (1974) [vinyl>flac]

One of Freddie Hubbard's few decent efforts during his very commercial period with Columbia, this LP found his quintet (with tenor-saxophonist Junior Cook and keyboardist George Cables) joined by a small orchestra and a string section on a set of potentially dismal material. Fortunately these six performances (particularly "Crisis," "Ebony Moonbeams" and Stevie Wonder's "Too High") are given fairly creative treatment. The leader/trumpeter is in good form and there is solo space given to Ernie Watts (on bass flute, soprano and flute) and tenorman Pete Christlieb in addition to the quintet members. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.

Columbia Records, KC 33048, 1974

Recorded 29^th April-2^nd May, 1974 Live at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California

Personnel:

Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

George Bohanon - Trombone

Dick Hyde - Trombone (#B1)

Ernie Watts - Tenor Sax, Bass Flute (#A1), Soprano Sax (#B2), Flute (#B3)

Junior Cook - Tenor Saxophone (#B3), Flute

Pete Christleib - Bass Clarinet (#B2), Tenor Sax (#B3)

George Cables - Electric Piano

Ian Underwood - Synthesizer [Arp]

Joe Sample - Clavinet, Organ

Dean Parks - Guitar

Kent Brinkley - Bass

Ralph Penland - Drums

Harvey Mason - Drums (#A2,B1)

Victor Feldman - Percussion

Carmello Garcia - Timbales

King Errisson - Congas

Jules Chaikin - Contractor [Strings]

Track Listing:

A1. Camel Rise {George Cables} (6:22)

A2. Black Maybe {Stevie Wonder} (4:54)

A3. Baraka Sasa {Freddie Hubbard} (10:26)

B1. Crisis {Freddie Hubbard} (5:42)

B2. Ebony Moonbeams {George Cables} (6:59)

B3. Too High {Stevie Wonder} (6:36)

Credits:

Producer - Paul A. Rothchild

Producer [Assistant] - Mike Levy

Engineer [Recording and Mixing] - Jack Haeny

Engineer [Assistant] - Kent Nebergall

Conductor, Arranger - Dale Oehler

Artwork [Hand-Lettering] - Andy Engel

Design [Cover] - Anne Garner, Ron Coro

Photography - Fred Valentine