Hilton Ruiz - Strut (1988)

Pianist Hilton Ruiz mixes together elements of salsa, r&b, funk and jazz but, instead of his music becoming some type of hybrid, the result is a very danceable variety of jazz that is both accessible and challenging. Ruiz, whose main influence is McCoy Tyner, gathered together a very interesting assortment of players for Strut. Trumpeter Lew Soloff contributes some high notes and leads the horn riffing, trombonist Dick Griffin's extroverted trombone is witty in its short spots, Sam Rivers (mostly on tenor) and percussionist Mongo Santamaria add their sounds to the brew and guitarist Rodney Jones is second only to Ruiz in taking solo honors. It is particularly rewarding to hear a Latin remake of "The Sidewinder" and many of the other good-natured melodies are catchy. Strut should be able to win over both jazz fans and those listeners who claim to not understand or be able to appreciative creative music. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Novus Records, PD83053, 1989
Recorded 30th November & 1st December, 1988 at Studio B, RCA Studios, New York City

Musicians:
Hilton Ruiz - Piano
Lew Soloff - Trumpet
Dick Griffin - Trombone
Sam Rivers - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
Rodney Jones - Guitar, Bass (#7)
Francisco Centeno - Electric Bass
Robby Ameen - Drums, Timbales, Percussion (#4,5)
Steve Berrios - Drums (#4,5)
Mongo Santamaria - Congas 

Tracks:
1. The Sidewinder {Lee Morgan} (6:19)
2. Goin' Back To New Orleans {Hilton Ruiz} (10:45)
3. Bluz {Sam Rivers} (4:59)
4. Aged In Soul {William Allen} (4:19)
5. All My Love Is Yours {Dick Griffin} (8:07)
6. Soca Serenade {William Allen} (5:55)
7. Why Don't You Steal My Blues {Bradley Cunningham} (2:34)
8. Lush Life {Billy Strayhorn} (6:24) 

Total Time: 49:24 

Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Producer [Series] - Steve Backer
Engineer - Tony May
Disc Mastering - Jack Adelman
Art Direction, Design - Ria Lewerke, Pietro Alfien
Photography - Brian Davis 

Aged In Soul

Billy Harper - Capra Black (1973)

Capra Black remains one of the seminal recordings of jazz's black consciousness movement. A profoundly spiritual effort that channels both the intellectual complexity of the avant-garde as well as the emotional potency of gospel, its focus and assurance belie Billy Harper's inexperience as a leader. Backed by an all-star supporting unit including trombonist Julian Priester and drummer Billy Cobham, Harper's tenor summons the brute force and mystical resolve of John Coltrane but transcends its influences to communicate thoughts and feelings both idiosyncratic and universal. This is music of remarkable corporeal substance that somehow expresses the pure language of the soul.  ~ by Jason Ankeny, AMG. 

Strata-East Records, SES-19739, 1973
Bellaphon International, 660.51.022, 1993 

Personnel:
=========
Billy Harper - Tenor Saxophone, Voices
Jimmy Owens - Trumpet
Julian Priester - Trombone
Dick Griffin - Trombone
George Cables - Piano
Reggie Workman - Bass
Billy Cobham - Drums
Elvin Jones - Drums
Warren Smith - Drums
-----------------------------
Barbara Grant - Voices
Eugene McDaniels - Voices
Laveda Johnson - Voices
Pat Robinson - Voices 

Tracklist:
=======
Capra:
1. Capra Black (11:22)
2. Sir Galahad (8:08)
3. New Breed (4:34)
Black:
4. Soulfully, I Love You / Black Spiritual Of Love (9:39)
5. Cry Of Hunger (10:49) 

All Compositions by Billy Harper 

Total Time: 44:33 

Credits:
Producer, Arranger - Billy Harper
Engineer - Orville I'Brien
Photography - Richard Mayeda
Digital Transfer - Phil Klum 

This album is dedicated to Lee Morgan and to Kenny Dorham (who inspired my uncle-who inspired me), and the many other messengers who have passed this road before me. ~ Billy Harper. 

Capra Black

Dick Griffin - Time Will Tell (2011)

This set of eight original tunes, all penned by trombonist/leader Dick Griffin is a testament to the old KISS adage: keep it simple, stupid. Get some good players together, write some straightforward melodies, and blow, and Griffin has assembled some good players. "Could It Be the Blues" strikes the perfect mood to open this record. Few instruments lend themselves to a blues as well as a trombone. Naturally plaintive, in the hands of a player like Griffin, the instrument takes on a human quality, an extension of the trombonist's voice. Griffin is widely known in the free jazz world and has made a name for himself for his circular breathing technique, but here - and throughout the session - he sounds happy to be just blowing, carefree. This is a blues in 3/4, with a few nice little twists along the way. "Home Song" is a very intuitive, hummable song with a memorable melody, while "For the Love in My Heart" cries out for lyrics. "Let's Take a Chance" shows off Griffin's ability to take a simple, singable little tune and craft it into a complete song - nothing fancy, just respect for where the melody wants to go. As with much of the record, this is a strong showcase for his sidemen, though there really are no sidemen on a project like this, especially with players of this caliber, and here everyone contributes to getting the songs off the ground and keeping the energy going. The combined experience of the group is quite something, typified by alto saxophonist/flautist James Spaulding - always such a joy to hear, and this record is no exception. The songs featuring him on flute ("Time Goes By", "My Fantasy") are some of the best of the set. His original plays off of the very famous title track, and the entry of flute, followed by bassist Cecil McBee and Griffin are sonically scrumptious. The band is at its finest on the cookin,' slightly sinister and vamp-driven "Mind Over," while the closing title track is like much of the record encapsulated. It features a very catchy phrase, endearingly played loosely by a front line of interesting sonic textures, followed by solid solos and empathetic accompaniment. Easy as pie. Griffin is a wonderful musician who has contributed mightily to improvised music. He is also a very talented painter, and is responsible for the wonderful cover art featured on Time Will Tell. ~ by William Carey, AAJ. 

Ruby Records, 0884501515689, 2011 

Musicians:
Dick Griffin - Trombone, Arranger
James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone, Flute (#5,7)
George Cables - Piano
Cecil McBee - Bass
Victor Lewis - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Could It Be The Blues {Dick Griffin} (5:01)
2. Home Song {Dick Griffin} (5:32)
3. For The Love In My Heart {Dick Griffin} (6:37)
4. Let's Take A Chance {Dick Griffin} (6:25)
5. Time Goes By {Dick Griffin} (6:02)
6. Mind Over {Dick Griffin} (5:47)
7. My Fantasy {Dick Griffin} (7:28)
8. Time Will Tell {Dick Griffin} (8:29) 

Total Time: 51:21 

Credits:
Producer - Dick Griffin
Cover Photo - Adjua Mantebea
Group Photo - Joanne Klein
Design - Sandy Jordan 

Some wonderful bop, some wonderful blues, a wonderful album.

Listen to Track here:
My Fantasy

Dick Griffin - Now Is The Time (1979, 1997)

Here we have a great example of a deep and spiritual jazz album from trombonist Dick Griffin. He is joined by a stunning line-up including Clifford Jordan on tenor sax, Bill Saxton on both tenor & soprano, Hubert Eaves on piano, flute, piano, vocals from Lonnie Liston Smith's brother Donald Smith and then if that's not enough to exhilarate a listening frenzy there’s Calvin Hill on bass, Lawrence Killian on percussion, congas and finally Billy Hart, Freddie Waits sharing drums. The initial LP release on provided six tracks but with the CD reissue another two bonus tracks are added. All compositions are penned by Dick Griffin, a truly an underrated trombonist and composer. A classic of its time, Enjoy! 

Trident Records, TRS-504, 1979
Boplicity Records, CDBOP 021, 1997 

Musicians:
Dick Griffin - Trombone
Clifford Jordan - Tenor Saxophone
Bill Saxton - Tenor & Soprano Saxophones
Donald Smith - Flute, Piano, Vocals
Hubert Eaves - Piano
Calvin Hill - Bass
Billy Hart, Freddie Waits - Drums
Lawrence Killian - Percussion, Congas 

Tracks:
A1. Now Is The Time (6:18)
A2. Madrid (8:20)
A3. Multiphonic Blues (5:10)
B1. Waltz My Son (5:40)
B2. The Queen (7:21)
B3. Peaceful Thinking (6:25) 

CD Bonus Tracks:
7. Darkness Of Duke (4:46)
8. Come Dance With Me aka Come And See (6:26) 

All Compositions by Dick Griffin 

Total Time: 50:20

Dick Griffin - The Eighth Wonder (1974)

Trombonist Dick Griffin's big, hearty sound has been a well-defined asset in any of the musical buffets he has taken part in during his long career. Whether part of a James Brown horn section or a small modern jazz band, Griffin's trombone is a steaming dish - if it was literally part of a smorgasbord spread there would always be several hungry customers lined up behind it, ladles ready. Jazz buffs wanted to dig right in when the trombonist served up his own album for the Strata-East co-operative label in the '70s, but the result was more like a stew that is not fully cooked at mealtime. By the time this one gets to full boil, many of the guests have gone home and hit the hay, to continue the analogy. When Sam Rivers takes off on a tenor solo during "Flying Back Home," the listener does the usual standing at attention, ears cocked, that is a required part of experiencing a Rivers solo. Yet by this time the record has already been flipped, it is only a bit more than ten minutes until the whole thing is over, and worst of all, the Rivers fan has already contemplated in sullen sadness why the first side went by without much more than a few peeps from the man. Bassist Cecil McBee does get in one of his gorgeous bass solos on the first side. He is part of an exceptional rhythm section partly made up of Griffin associates from Rahsaan Roland Kirk's Vibration Society. Kirk would never had let the first side of one of his albums drag so badly, despite his love of ballads. He would have known when enough was enough in terms of a beautiful sound and would have made an effort to shake things up. In many ways "The Eighth Wonder" shows that Griffin's greatest abilities may not be as a bandleader; the recorded sound and technical execution is as flawless as the multi-phonic chops he displays when the needle first hits, but there isn't much sign of the expressive drive that makes the music of many of Griffin's employers over the years so compelling. ~ Extract by Eugene Chadbourne, AMG.

Strata-East Records, SES-19747, 1974

Musicians:

Dick Griffin - Trombone

Sam Rivers - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute

Warren Smith - Vibraphone, Percussion

Ron Burton - Piano

Cecil McBee - Bass

Freddie Waits - Drums

Leopolodo F. Fleming - Percussion, Congas, Bells

Tracks:

A1. Eighth Wonder (5:59)

A2. It Could Be     (6:50)

A3. Girl, I Really Love You So (6:43)

B1. Jakubu's Dance (4:07)

B2. Flying Back Home (8:21)

B3. Come Be With Me (9:31)

All Compositions and Arrangements by Dick Griffin

Credits:

Producer, Arranger, Composer, Liner Notes - Dick Griffin

Recording Engineer - Rudy Cotman

Photography [Front Cover] - Clarence Eastman

George Benson - Body Talk (1973)

With an eye and ear on what was happening on the soul charts -- James Brown in particular -- Benson made a decided swerve toward R&B on this release. Indeed the JB's Pee Wee Ellis turns up as a big band arranger on three tracks, and he no doubt had a direct influence on the distinct JB groove of one of the non-big-band tunes, "Dance." It should come as no surprise by now that this formidable guitarist has no problem handling any kind of groove, although the mixed rhythm section of Jack DeJohnette, Ron Carter, electric pianist Harold Mabern, and percussionist Mobutu sometimes sends mixed messages. Earl Klugh has a few tasty moments on his own, and there are some reconnaissance flights back to the jazz side of George, which he handles with his usual confident aplomb. ~ by Richard S. Ginell, AMG.

CTI Records, CTI 6033, 1973

Recorded 17^th (Side B) & 18^th (Side A) July 1973 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

George Benson - Guitar

Frank Foster - Tenor Saxophone (#A3-B2)

Waymon Reed - Flugelhorn, Trumpet (#A3-B2)

John Gatchell - Flugelhorn, Trumpet (#A3-B2)

Jon Faddis - Flugelhorn, Trumpet (#A3-B2)

Dick Griffin - Trombone (#A3-B2)

Gerald Chamberlain - Trombone (#A3-B2)

Harold Mabern - Electric Piano

Earl Klugh - Guitar

Gary King - Electric Bass

Ron Carter - Bass

Jack DeJohnette - Drums

Mobutu - Percussion

Track Listing:

A1. Dance {Alfred Ellis, George Benson} (10:30)

A2. When Love Has Grown {Donny Hathaway, Gene McDaniel} (5:01)

A3. Plum {George Benson} (5:28)

B1. Body Talk {George Benson} (8:21)

B2. Top Of The World {George Benson} (9:56)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Arranger, Conductor - Pee Wee Ellis

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design - Bob Ciano

Cover Photograph - Pete Turner

Gary Chandler - Outlook (1972) [vinyl>flac]

Charles Earland was instrumental in introducing many new musicians to the attention of the jazz world. One such artist was Gary Chandler and here we have his rare and powerful album as a leader. Joined with Harold Ousley, Cornell Dupree, Buddy Caldwell, Idris Muhammad and others this LP is truly a jazz-funk gem.

After catching the attention of producer Bob Porter via Charles Earland dates including Living Black!, trumpeter Gary Chandler finally earned his shot as leader with Outlook, and don't let the absence of subsequent efforts fool you -- this is one of the true lost classics of jazz-funk, a Molotov cocktail lit with a burning joint. Cut with an all-star supporting cast including guitarist Cornell Dupree, organist Ceasar Frazier, tenorist Harold Ousley, and drummer Idris Muhammad, the record is less a collection of songs than one long, steamroller groove. Crate diggers and DJs have coveted "Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)" for years, but in truth, damn near every second of Outlook demands consideration as a sample. ~ Jason Ankeny, AMG.

Eastbound Records, EB 9001, 1972

Track Listing:

A1. Baby Let Me Take You [In My Arms] {Abrim Tilmon} (10:04)

A2. Flamingo {Edmund Anderson, Theodor Grouya} (6:38)

B1. Kaleidoscope {Gary Chandler} (4:40)

B2. The Jet Set {Gary Chandler} (4:02)

B3. Blue Dues {Gary Chandler} (7:17)

Personnel:

Gary Chandler - Trumpet

Harold Ousley - Tenor Saxophone

Dick Griffin - Trombone

Ceasar Frazier - Organ

Cornell Dupree - Guitar

Gordon Edwards - Electric Bass [Fender] (#A1, B1, B3)

Buddy Caldwell - Congas, Tambourine (#A1, B1-B3)

Idris Muhammad - Drums (#A1, B1-B3)

Robert Battle - Drums (#A2)