George Freeman - Man And Woman (1974) [vinyl]

While Man & Woman embraces a mellower approach than guitarist George Freeman's other Groove Merchant dates, it's by no means the late-night boudoir record its erotic cover suggests -- the stripped-down, nuanced sound instead adheres to a relatively straightforward soul-jazz formula, more focused and earthbound in its orientation than the average Freeman session. Teaming here with pianists Harold Mabern and Kenny Barron, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Buddy Williams, the guitarist embraces the change of pace, settling comfortably into the music's slow, slinky grooves -- not only are his solos as imaginative as before, but they also boast a rippling sensuality otherwise absent from his previous records. ~ by Jason Ankeny, AMG.

Groove Merchant, GM 3305, 1974

Musicians:

George Freeman - Guitar

Kenny Barron - Electric Piano

Harold Mabern Jr. - Piano, Electric Piano

Bobby Cranshaw - Bass

Buddy Williams - Drums (#A1-B1,B3)

Bernard Trapps - Drums (#B2,B4)

Tracks:

A1. Till There Was You {Meredith Wilson} (5:03)

A2. You've Changed {Bill Carey, Carl Fischer} (5:53)

A3. I Ain't Got Nobody {Roger Graham, Dave Peyton, Spencer Williams} (4:32)

A4. Groovy Lady {George Freeman} (4:52)

B1. Funny How Time Slips Away {Willie Nelson} (5:05)

B2. Squeeze Me {Fats Waller, Clarence Williams} (6:45)

B3. Stardust {Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish} (4:00)

B4. Georgia On My Mind {Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell} (6:09)

Credits:

Producer - Sonny Lester

Recording Engineer - Malcolm Addey

Mastered Engineer - Sam Feldman

Art Direction - Frank Daniel

Design [Album] - David Lartaud

Photography - Manuel Gonzales

One of the more laidback albums from George Freeman's early 70s run - but still a great little set that shows the mellower side of his talents! Despite the sexy style of the cover, the sound here is relatively straight soul jazz - small combo work with Harold Mabern on acoustic piano, Kenny Barron on electric piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Buddy Williams on drums - all in support of Freeman's snakey guitar lines over the gentle rhythms and slinky grooves. George's sound is slightly less tripped-out than on other records, but still has that undeniable Freeman tone - a raspy edge that's quite different than most of his contemporaries! Titles include "I Ain't Got Nobody", "You've Changed", "Groovy Lady", "Squeeze Me", and "Till There Was You".  © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Buddy Terry - Electric Soul! (1967) [re-rip]

Cool lost album by tenorist Buddy Terry, who plays Varitone on a number of tracks (hence the title of the LP). Jimmy Owens is on trumpet, Harold Mabern's on electric piano, and the set has a nice electric groove that's unusual for Prestige sessions at the time – and which points the way ahead to later jazz work on Kudu and CTI. Tracks include "The Band Bandit", "The Ubangi That Got Away", "Jimmy", and "Electric Soul". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

This is the finest first outing I have heard in many years. Buddy Terry's talent and determination, his superior and well cultivated musicianship are sure to win him many admirers. I can only hope that the reader of these notes is fortunate to have this album on his turn-table at this moment, It's a winner. ~ excerpt from Liner Notes by Michael Gold.

Prestige Records, PRST 7525, 1967

Recorded 23^rd February, 1967 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Buddy Terry - Varitone (#A1-A4,B2), Tenor Saxophone (#B1,B3)

Jimmy Owens - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Harold Mabern Jr. - Electric Piano

Ron Carter - Bass

Freddie Waits - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Electric Soul {Buddy Terry} (6:35)

A2. Alfie {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (4:44)

A3. Hey, Nellie {Buddy Terry} (4:42)

A4. Everything Is Everything {Whitaker} (4:38)

B1. The Ubangi That Got Away {Buddy Terry} (7:15)

B2. Jimmy {Jay Thompson} (5:14)

B3. The Band Bandit {Buddy Terry} (6:37)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Cover Design/Photo - Don Schlitten

Liner Notes - Michael Gold (April, 67)