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.

Stanley Cowell - Equipoise (1978) [vinyl]

Prior to recording this album as a leader, Stanley Cowell had mainly worked as an accompanist for other well-known artists such as Max Roach, Marion Brown, Sonny Rollins, JJ Johnson, Art Pepper and many others. In 1978 he assembled a trio with Cecil McBee on double bass and Roy Haynes on drums to release "Equipoise". On the program were four of his own compositions including the title track, as well as "Lady Blue" a composition by Cecil and "Dr Jackie" by Jackie McLean. On this album Cecil McBee makes his presence heard with a very rounded and resonant bass, especially showcased by his moving and poignant solo on "Lady Blue". In addition, heard in action is the masterful drumming of Roy Haynes particularly expressed on the faster tracks, such as "Dave's Chant" where he expounds his full potential. Cowell is one of those wonderful jazz pianists who isn’t a huge innovator, but has forged a distinctive style all of his own for many decades embodied in his expansive discography. “Equipoise” is a valuable example of his earlier work, an indication of a profound career to come, well recommended! 

Galaxy Records, GXY 4121, 1979
Recorded 28^th-30^th November, 1978 At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California 

Musicians:
Stanley Cowell - Piano
Cecil McBee - Bass
Roy Haynes - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Equipoise {Stanley Cowell} (4:46)
A2. Lady Blue {Cecil McBee} (4:19)
A3. Musa And Maimoun {Stanley Cowell} (9:09)
B1. Dr. Jackle {Jackie McLean} (3:14)
B2. November Mood {Stanley Cowell} (8:32)
B3. Dave's Chant {Stanley Cowell} (7:00) 

Total Time: 37:00

Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Engineer - Baker Bigsby
Engineer [Assistant] - Danny Kopelson, Wally Buck
Mastering - David Turner
Photography - Phil Bray
Art Direction - Phil Carroll
Design - Lucinda Cowell

Richard Davis - Fancy Free & Way Out West (1977) [vinyl>flac]

Review by Scott Yanow

Recorded with the same musicians and during the same two days as the Galaxy release Fancy Free, this LP covers a wide area. Bassist Richard Davis is heard in an unaccompanied solo on the brief "A Peace for Richard," on a duet with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson for "On the Trail" (one of the session's highpoints), heading a trio with pianist Stanley Cowell and drummer Billy Cobham on "I'm Old Fashioned" and otherwise playing with a quintet that also includes Henderson, Cowell (who doubles on a dated sounding electric piano), Cobham and trumpeter Eddie Henderson; three songs have vocals by the obscure Dolly Hirota. Ranging from straightahead to some funky pop, this is an interesting if not essential release from the masterful bassist.

01 - A Peace For Richard
02 - Elephant Boy
03 - Do A Dog A Favor
04 - On The Trail
05 - I'm Old Fashioned
06 - Sienna Waiting For The Moment
07 - Warm Canto
08 - Song Of Gratitude
09 - Don't Worry Bout A Thing

Eddie Henderson (tp, flh) Joe Henderson (ts) Stanley Cowell (p, el-p) Richard Davis (b) Billy Cobham (d) Dolly Hirota (vo) Bill Lee (arr)
Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA, June 30, July 1, 1977

Another Galaxy that doesn't seem to have made it to CD

Extract from review by Chris Sheridan, Jazz Journal, November, 1978
“Professor Davis … what an impressive bassist he is… listen to the way he shadows and jostles Cowell on Nardis, giving the performance tremendous lift. It shows that he has no betters, only peers. Here he has brought together a brawny quintet, including three men who are better-established within the Fusion Music scene. Eddie Henderson came to the fore with Herbie Hancock, but shows here that he is capable of more profound things. Joe's talents have been submerged beneath mountains of wattage on recent Milestone releases, but here he plays with a lighter and more inventive touch. Cobham is, perhaps, a little fidgety, but after so much rock that is only to be expected. Hirota sounds like a cross between Diana Ross and Rose Murphy.”

Review by Scott Yanow
"It seems odd that this Galaxy LP was recorded at the same time as Way Out West for the rival Muse label. Bassist Richard Davis teams up with trumpeter Eddie Henderson, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, keyboardist Stanley Cowell and drummer Billy Cobham for five selections that are highlighted by "Silver's Serenade," "Nardis" and a rare cover version of Donald Byrd's "Fancy Free"; singer Dolly Hirota is featured on "I Still Love You, Baby." Overall this is the stronger of the sets recorded during the two-day period in 1977, an advanced and mostly straightahead effort."

1. The Wine Of May
2. Silver's Serenade
3. Emily
4. Nardis
5. I Still Love You, Baby
6. Fancy Free

Eddie Henderson (tp, flh) Joe Henderson (ts) Stanley Cowell (p, el-p) Richard Davis (b) Billy Cobham (d) Dolly Hirota (vo -5) Bill Lee (arr)
Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA, June 30, July 1, 1977