Takehiro Honda - Salaam Salaam (1974) [vinyl]

Takehiro Honda's most complex and challenging LP, Salaam Salaam pairs the pianist with bassist Junie Booth and drummer Eric Gravatt to explore the kind of creative reaches typically reserved for larger ensembles. If anything, the record is that much more remarkable for achieving its epic scope from so few core elements. Honda's adherence to austerity contrasts sharply with the bold, multi-dimensional sensibilities that signify the vast majority of post-Coltrane excursions into spiritual expression, yet the sheer soulfulness and abandon of his performance nevertheless vaults Salaam Salaam into the same physical and metaphysical planes. No less vital is the record's unusual warmth and tonal purity, which further underscore the humanity at the root of even its most abstract expressions. ~ by Jason Ankeny, AMG. 

East Wind, EW-7005, 1974
Recorded 16th June, 1974 at Victor Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Takehiro Honda - Piano
Juni Booth - Bass
Eric Gravatt - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Minors Only (13:27)
A2. Natural Tranquility (10:31)
B. Salaam Salaam (18:28) 

All Compositions by Takehiro Honda 

Total Time: 42:26 

Credits:
Producer, Management, Liner Photos - Toshinari Koinuma
Supervisor [Album Direction] - Yasohachi Itoh, Yukio Morisaki
Recording & Remixing Engineer - Toshio Kobayashi
Art Direction - Johsuke Kubo
Design [Album] - Mitsuo Hosokawa
Photography [Cover] - Hiroshi Satoh
Photography [Liner] - Yukio Ichikawa
Liner Notes - Shoichi Yui 

"This album I heard again and again when I was a student over 35 years ago. Even if I heard it now, it was a great album! All three songs are good, but the second song Natural Tranquility is great when you listen to it! It's a peace of mind." ~ aquilegia, Amazon.com. [Translated from Japanese] 

Natural Tranquility

Dom Um Romão - Dom Um Romão (1973) [vinyl>re-rip,true flac]

An unbelievably fantastic album, and perhaps the greatest one that Dom Um Romão ever did. Dom recorded this one in America with a blend of Brazilian and New York musicians - creating an incredible sound that's unlike anything else one can think of. Includes the spare spacey groover "Dom's Tune", the lively dancer "Cinnamon Flower", the jazzy "Family Talk", a great version of "Ponteio", and a take on Sivuca's "Adeus Maria Fulô" with João Donato on electric harpsichord. ~ @ Dusty Groove Inc..

This LP was probably one of my first introductions to Brazilian music when I bought it in the early 80s after hearing Braun Blek Blu - it completely blew me away. I couldn't believe this could be the work of just one man, his drum kit, a cow bell and vocals!!! And what an LP to get-a storming version of Ponteio and each track a killer in its own right. But of course - it also features the great João Donato! Orgyinrhythm

Muse Records, MR 5013, 1974

Recorded 6^th June & 21^st November, 1973

Musicians:

Dom Um Romão - Drums, Percussion

Dom Salvador - Electric Piano, Piano

Lloyd McNeil - Flute

Joe Beck - Electric Guitar

João Donato - Harpsichord, Piano

Sivuca - Organ, Piano, Guitar

Amauri Tristao - Acoustic Guitar

Jerry Dodgion - Alto Saxophone, Flute

Mauricio Smith - Tenor & Soprano Saxophones, Flute

Richard Kimball - Synthesizer

Jimmy Bossey - Trombone

William Campbell, Jr. - Trumpet

Frank Tusa - Bass

Stanley Clarke - Bass

Eric Gravatt - Congas

Portintio - Percussion

Track Listing:

A1. Dom's Tune {Dom Um Romão} (8:43)

A2. Cinnamon Flower [Cravo E Canela] {Milton Nascimento} (4:53)

A3. Family Talk {Dom Um Romão} (5:42)

B1. Ponteio {Edu Lobo, Ruy Guerra} (6:07)

B2. Braun-Blek-Blu {Dom Um Romão} (4:40)

B3. Adeus Maria Fulô {Sivuca, Humberto Teixeira} (8:03)

Credits:

Producer - Dom Um Romão, Joe Fields

Recording Engineer - Michael DeLugg

Liner Notes - Gary Giddins