Richard "Groove" Holmes - Six Million Dollar Man (1975) [vinyl]

One of Groove Holmes' best albums of the 70s -- thanks to some electric blacksploitation arrangements from the great Oliver Nelson! The format's a bit tighter here than on some of Holmes' Groove Merchant albums from the earlier part of the decade -- an approach that's almost like soundtrack scoring at times, but which allows Groove to stretch out a bit more on the solos, and take things way past the already-funky head arrangements penned by Nelson. Mike Wofford's also on the record, throwing in some great electric piano and Arp in underneath Holmes' own funky Hammond -- and other players include Tom Scott, David T Walker, and Oscar Brashear -- who all contribute nicely to the record. Titles include "Disc-o-Mite", "Salsa de Alma", "Dumpy Mama", "Mama's Groove", "125th & 7th Ave", and "Six Million Dollar Man", the theme from the TV show!  © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Flying Dutchman, BDL1-1146, 1975
Recorded in 1975 

Musicians:
Richard "Groove" Holmes - Organ
Oscar Brashear, Charles Findley, Bobby Bryant - Trumpet (#A2,B1)
Garnett Brown, Maurice Spears, Lloyd Ulyate - Trombone (#A2,B1)
Tom Scott - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (#A2), Arranger, Conductor (#B2)
Bud Shank, Jerome Richardson, Jack Nimitz, Gene Cipriano - Woodwinds (#A2,B1)
Mike Wofford - Piano, Electric Piano, ARP Synthesizer
David T. Walker - Electric Guitar
Chuck Rainey - Electric Bass (#A1,A2,A4,B2-B4)
Chuck Domanico - Electric Bass (#A3,B1)
Jimmy Gordon - Drums (#1,A2,A4,B2-B4)
Shelly Manne - Drums (#B1)
Mailto Correa - Percussion
Larry Bunker - Percussion (A3,B1)
Oliver Nelson - Arranger, Conductor (#A1-B1,B3,B4)

Tracks:
A1. Disc-O-Mite {Oliver Nelson, Richard "Groove" Holmes} (5:21)
A2. Salsa De Alma {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (5:19)
A3. Once Is Not Enough {Henry Mancini, Larry Kusik} (3:26)
A4. Dumpy Mama {Oliver Nelson} (4:46)
B1. "Six Million Dollar Man" Theme {Oliver Nelson} (4:55)
B2. Double Scale {Tom Scott} (4:12)
B3. 125th St. and 7th Ave. {Oliver Nelson} (3:40)
B4. Mama's Groove {Richard "Groove" Holmes} (7:06) 

Total Time: 39:45 

Credits:
Producer - Bob Thiele
Engineer - Eddie Brackett
Remix Engineer - Bob Simpson
Art Direction – Acy Lehman, Dick Smith
Photography - David B. Hecht
Liner Notes - Nat Hentoff

Link

Double Scale

Gato Barbieri - Bolivia (1973)

In 1973, Argentinean saxophonist Gato Barbieri contemplated a move to a more commercially viable, accessible sound, one that appealed to both North and South American audiences. He moved from the jazz vanguard toward it's exotic center (and finally into the commercial world altogether) with a number of records, including this one, which explored the various rhythms, melodies, and textures of Afro-Cuban and Latin American sounds. Bolivia features Barbieri immediately prior to his Impulse recordings that resulted in the celebrated four-chapter Latin America series. Utilizing the talents of musicians as diverse as guitarist John Abercrombie, pianist Lonnie Liston Smith, drummer and percussionists Airto Moreira, M'tume, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Gene Golden, and Moulay Ali Hafid, as well as bassists Stanley and J.F. Jenny Clark. Barbieri's musical reach is everywhere here. There's the bolero-like romp of "Merceditas," where his normally raw-toned, feeling-centered playing is kicked up a couple notches into a frenetic, emotional tidal wave, and the haunting "Bolivia," full of shimmering percussion and pianistic glissandi courtesy of Smith. Barbieri's loping, spare playing is reminiscent of Coltrane stating of the melodic frames in "India." There is also the melody of the traditional "Eclypse" wedded to a gorgeous, sensual Cuban son-like melody "Michellina" (for Barbieri's Italian born wife). The final two of the album's five tracks are based in Argentinean folk forms associated with the tango, but are less formal, more open, and modally charged. Setting both "Niños" and "Vidala Triste" in minor keys with open modal themes, improvisation happens -- á la Ornette Coleman -- in the heart of the melody, despite the intricate nature and complex time and key changes inherent in both tunes. Ultimately, Bolivia is a sensual, musically adept, and groundbreaking recording, which offered Barbieri a chance to come in from the avant-garde before heading back to the fringes with the Latin America series. A fine effort that is finally getting the notoriety it deserves. ~ by Thom Jurek, AMG. 

Flying Dutchman, FD 10158, 1973
RCA Victor/BMG Music, 74321851472, 2001
Recorded 24th and 25th November, 1969 in New York City 

Musicians:
Gato Barbieri - Tenor Saxophone (#1-4), Flute (#3,5), Hands (#3,5), Vocals (#3,5)
Lonnie Liston Smith - Piano (#1-5)
John Abercrombie - Acoustic Guitar (#3,5), Electric Guitar (#1)
Jean-François Jenny-Clark - Bass (#1,2b)
Stanley Clarke - Bass (#2a,3-5)
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums (#1)
Airto Moreira - Drums (#2-5), Percussion (#1)
James M'tume - Congas (#1,2b-5)
Gene Golden - Congas (#2a)
Moulay "Ali" Hafid - Dumbeg (#4) 

Tracks:
1. Merceditas {Gato Barbieri} (9:07)
2. Eclypse {Traditional} / Michellina {Gato Barbieri} (6:24)
3. Bolivia {Gato Barbieri} (7:46)
4. Niños {Gato Barbieri} (7:14)
5. Vidala Triste {Gato & Michelle Barbieri} (5:30) 

Total Time: 36:03 

Credits:
Producer - Bob Thiele
Assistant Producer - Lillian Seyfert
Reissue Producer - Daniel Baumgarten
Sound Mixing - Tony May
Digital Remastering - Jean-Pierre Chalbos [La Source]
Cover & Liner Photos - K. Abe
Design - Haig Adishian
Cover Design - Michel Baulot

Gato Barbieri - Yesterdays (1974) [re-rip]

Fantastic slice of latin jazz. The album smokes from start to finish, with Gato in his prime as a sax player. Also featuring the great bass of Ron Carter and the fine drumming of Pretty Purdy. Check out "A John Coltrane Blues" and "Marnie". ~ jimslim11

Gato Barbieri wails his jazz-sax to some great latin rhythms. The title track is complex, driving, and joyous. Driving percussion, thumping bass. Brilliant playing. When they dive into Coltrane's "Village Blues" - (here called "A John Coltrane Blues), ya better strap on your seat belts. ~ phnuggle

Flying Dutchman, BDL 1-0550, 1974

Recorded in New York; 1974

Musicians:

Gato Barbieri - Tenor Saxophone

George Dalto - Piano

Ron Carter - Bass

Paul Metzke - Electric Guitar

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums

Babafemi - Congas

Raymond Mantilla - Timbales

Tracks:

A1. Yesterdays {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (10:44)

A2. A John Coltrane Blues {John Coltrane} (8:19)

B1. Marnie {Bernard Herrmann, Peter Jason, Gloria Shayne} (7:08)

B2. Cariñoso {Pixinguinha} (10:53)

Total Time: 37:04

Credits:

Producer - Bob Thiele

Recording Engineer - Bob Simpson