Stanley Cowell - New World (1981) [vinyl]

This album was released in 1981 by Ohio jazz pianist Stanley Cowell, one of the founders of the prestigious label "Strata East". It has a similar style as heard on his previous albums, but with a slightly sharper feeling, but still quite easy listening. In its favour are the fine arrangements and solos. Firstly, he presents the only standard, the well-known Duke Ellington piece "Come Sunday" which comes off well. "Ask Him" has a sacred gospel type chorus; "Island Of Haitoo" where the sound of the mbira produces a calypso sound; and a replay of a tune from "Regeneration", "I'm Trying To Find A Way", the rhythm is fusion that will get you dancing. Followed by "El Space-O" with its killer bassline and a strange 'spacey' electric piano, and then finally rounded off with "Sienna: Welcome To This New World". Essentially an album with a lyrical, sophisticated, and lively touch of the piano makes this LP a feel-good outing, Enjoy! 

Galaxy Records, GXY 5131, 1981
Recorded November, 1978 At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California 

Musicians:
Stanley Cowell - Piano, Electric Piano, Prepared Pianos, Kalimba,
Hammond Organ, Orchestra Chimes, Backing Vocals
Pat Patrick - Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Julian Priester - Alto, Tenor & Bass Trombones
Eddie Henderson - Trumpet, Electric Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Nate Rubin - Violin
Terry Adams - Cello
Cecil McBee - Bass
Roy Haynes - Drums
Kenneth Nash - Percussion
Judy Lacey - Vocals
Robert & Linda Mandolph - Vocals 

Tracks:
A1. Come Sunday {Duke Ellington} (8:39)
A2. Ask Him {Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee} (4:45)
A3. Island Of Haitoo {Stanley Cowell, Scott} (4:13)
B1. I'm Trying To Find A Way {Stanley Cowell, Viki McLaughlin} (7:27)
B2. El Space-O {Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee, Roy Haynes} (8:18)
B3. Sienna: Welcome To This New World {Stanley Cowell} (2:42) 

Total Time: 36:04

Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Engineer - Baker Bigsby
Assistant - Wally Buck
Mastering - George Horn
Art Direction & Design - Phil Carroll
Photography - Phil Bray 

Notes:
Arranger & Conductor - Stanley Cowell
Mixing & Mastering At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley 

A surprisingly righteous little album from Stanley Cowell - a set cut after his more famous music for the Strata East label, but one that still hangs onto a similar vibe! The style's a bit tighter than before, but still filled with soul and spirit - thanks to a lineup that includes Julian Priester on trombone, Eddie Henderson on trumpet, and Pat Patrick on reeds - making a key appearance here away from the Sun Ra Arkestra! Cowell plays both piano and keyboards, and the record has a bit of strings, and a bit of vocals - but all used tastefully, in ways that further enforce the depth of the tunes. Tracks include "El Space-O", "Ask Him", "Island Of Haitoo", and "I'm Tryin To Find A Way".  © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Norman Connors - Dance Of Magic (1973) [vinyl>flac]

Following on from the recent Carlos Garnett Muse posts; here’s a magnificent album where he collaborates with a young Norman Connors and other great players to produce what is got to be one of the best spiritual jazz albums from the seventies. Recorded in 1972 it was Connor's debut as a leader. The record features four tracks that include the full-sided "Dance of Magic", as well as "Morning Change", "Blue" and the short but potent "Give The Drummer Some". Apart from this final track, the album has a solid sound that comfortably blends together an overall spiritual feel with many funky and spacey grooves. The record boasts a "Dream Team" lineup that includes Gary Bartz & Carlos Garnett, Stanley Clarke & Cecil McBee, Herbie Hancock, Eddie Henderson, Airto Moreira, Billy Hart, and many others. Later Connors would alter his style to produce many soulful classics like "You Are My Starship" and "Betcha By Golly Wow", but "Dance of Magic" is a definitive early showcasing of Connor's true musical gifts; an exemplary producer, composer and masterful musician capable of assembling the right players and musical components to create great records.

This is definitely a true gem; not to be overlooked.

Alternative cover from 1976 Buddah Records [BDS 5674] release

Cobblestone Records, Catalog#: CST 9024

Recorded 1972 at Bell Sound Studios, New York City

Track Listing:

A. Dance of Magic {Norman Connors} (20:53)

B1. Morning Change {Cecil McBee} (6:22)

B2. Blue {Stanley Clarke} (10:17)

B3. Give The Drummer Some {Norman Connors} (2:22)

Personnel:

Norman Connors - Drums

Herbie Hancock - Piano, Fender Rhodes, Electric Piano

Gary Bartz - Alto & Soprano Saxophones

Carlos Garnett - Tenor & Soprano Saxophones

Eddie Henderson - Trumpet

Art Webb - Flute

Cecil McBee - Bass (A,B1)

Stanley Clarke - Bass

Anthony Wiles - Baliphone, Percussion

Airto Moreira - Percussion (B1,B2,B3)

Alphonse Mouzon - Percussion (A,B2)

Babafemi - Percussion (A)

Billy Hart - Percussion (B1,B2,B3)

Nat Bettis - Percussion, Congas

The U.B.F. Singers - Vocals

This album is drummer Norman Connors earliest and most rewarding date as a leader. Recorded with a who's who of fusion titans including trumpeter Eddie Henderson bassist Stanley Clarke, and keyboardist Herbie Hancock, Dance of Magic channels the lessons drummer Norman Connors learned in the employ of Pharoah Sanders, Sam Rivers and Sun Ra, marshaling Latin rhythms, electronic textures, and cosmic mysticism to create nondenominational yet deeply spiritual funk-jazz. The sprawling 21-minute title cut spans the entirety of the record's first half, capturing a monumental jam session that explores the outer edges of free improvisation but never steps past the point of no return. Connors' furious drumming is like a trail of bread crumbs that leads his collaborators back home. The remaining three tracks are smaller in scale but no less epic in scope, culminating with the blistering "Give the Drummer Some." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide.