Joe Sample - The Pecan Tree (2002)

The Pecan Tree is a collection of 11 compositions from master pianist/composer Joe Sample that were inspired by his Southeast Texas roots and influences. As a founding member of the pioneering quartet the Jazz Crusaders and as a solo artist, the pianist has created an impressive musical style based upon his early appreciation for jazz, gospel, soul, bebop, blues, Latin, and classical music. The Pecan Tree features many of those musical genres performed with such special guests as Lenny Castro and Paulinho da Costa on percussion, renowned R&B vocalist Howard Hewett, and newcomer Lizz Wright. Sample's Quintet kicks off the set with the title track, a Latin-tinged mid-tempo instrumental that features Sample's beautiful melodicism in harmony with the percussive mastery of Lenny Castro. The ensemble brings their creativity ingenuity to "Hot and Humid," a sweltering musical story of the region's weather condition. You can literally feel the heat from Sample's fiery piano chops. The soulful voice of Howard Hewett on "With These Hands" also makes this CD entertaining. He envelopes the listener with his gospel-tinged R&B tenor and holds you spellbound throughout this lovely ballad with his powerful range and heartfelt lyricism. The Pecan Tree is an apt tribute in the form of choice songs that describe Sample's true essence as a great musical storyteller and ranks alongside his smash hit Carmel with respect to his ability to deliver musical metaphors through smart phrasing and compelling melodies that reflect local settings. ~  by Paula Edelstein, AMG. 

P.R.A. Records, 314 589 508-2, 2002
Recorded at Bill Schnee Studios, Hollywood, California
Recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California 

Musicians:
Joe Sample - Piano
Peter Wolf - Synthesizer
Dean Parks - Guitar
Jay Anderson - Bass
Larry Aberman - Drums (#1-4,6,8-11)
James Gadson - Drums (#5,7)
Lenny Castro - Percussion (#1,2,4-6,8-11)
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion (#3,7)
Lizz Wright - Vocals (#3,5)
Howard Hewett - Vocals (#7,9) 

Tracks:
01. The Pecan Tree {Joe Sample} (5:24)
02. Hot And Humid {Joe Sample} (4:39)
03. No One But Myself To Blame {Joe Sample, Jonathan Brooke} (5:16)
04. X Marks The Spot [Marie Laveau] {Joe Sample} (5:11)
05. Fool's Gold {Joe Sample, Jonathan Brooke} (5:20)
06. Spanish Moss {Joe Sample} (5:00)
07. In A Heartbeat {Lauren Wild, Nicklas Sample} (5:00)
08. El Dorado {Joe Sample} (5:14)
09. With These Hands {Abner Silver, Benny Davis} (5:24)
10. The Texas Two Step {Joe Sample} (3:40)
11. Memories {Joe Sample} (3:51) 

Total Time: 54:04 

Credits:
Producer - Joe Sample
Producer, Engineer, Mixing Engineer - Bill Schnee
Producer [Assistant] - Jill Heatherly
Engineer [Assistant] - Koji Egawa, Ryan Petrie, Tom Sweeny
Mastering Engineer - Doug Sax
Artwork, Cover Art - Bill Traylor
Art Direction - John Cabalka
Photography - Steven Silverstein 

With These Hands

Azar Lawrence - Shadow Dancing (1985) [vinyl]

Saxophonist Azar Lawrence (born 1952) needs little introduction, as a young musical prodigy he was lovingly tutored by his mother, who taught music and led their church choir. At age 5, he played violin in the Los Angeles Junior Symphony, then viola, but his ears were turned to the saxophone at age 13. Azar spent his teen years immersed in jazz at the home of his best friend, none other than the late Reggie Golson, son of the great composer/arranger/saxophonist, Bennie Golson. From then on it was jazz, jazz and more jazz! Azar Lawrence began his jazz career at the renowned Dorsey High School Jazz Workshop. After high school he played in Horace Tapscott's 'Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra' and started performing in the Los Angeles club circuit. He soon found himself playing with the Ike & Tina Turner band, the Watts 103rd Street Band and War. At the age of 19, Azar joined John Coltrane's drummer Elvin Jones for over 3 years before being invited by McCoy Tyner to join his quartet (an alchemy that lasted for 5 exuberant years). During his tenure with Tyner, he also recorded with Miles Davis on the album Dark Magus at the famed Carnegie Hall. Upon leaving Tyner, Azar Lawrence recorded his own projects on Prestige Records, including Bridge Into The New Age (1974), Summer Solstice (1975) and People Moving (1976). After these three albums it would take over a decade before Mr. Lawrence would record another solo album (Shadow Dancing, released in 1985). Azar went on to record/write and perform with luminaries such as Freddie Hubbard, Busta Rhymes, Roberta Flack, The Headhunters and Mulatu Astatke. His sensational collaborations of the period included writing and performing on Earth Wind & Fire's highly acclaimed platinum album, Powerlight, and on Marvin Gaye's Grammy award winning, Hear My Dear. Azar Lawrence's work was sampled by renowned artists/acts from the likes of Madlib, Cypress Hill... and many others. In the early 2000s, Lawrence surged back onto the jazz scene and continues to electrify audiences with outstanding original compositions and chart hitting albums. His band, The Azar Lawrence Experience (TALE) appears with as many as eight musicians who sizzle to the sounds of Azar's powerful compositions, as well as songs from the Coltrane songbook. To this day TALE dedicates itself to sharing a lifetime of Azar Lawrence's music, art and spirituality with global audiences. On the album Shadow Dancing (released in 1985), which we are proudly presenting you today, you can hear the musical versatility only an artist like Azar Lawrence can deliver. Next to his trademark jazz sound, this album is filled with funk, soul and boogie influences. If you're looking for THE perfect mix of synth filled boogie & jazz-funk where the Sax takes the center stage... then this is a highly recommended gem for your record collection (and a must-have for seekers of rare grooves). ~ MainstVinyl.com. 

Riza Records, RRL 85-101, 1985
Tidal Waves Music, TWM76, 2021
Recorded and Mixed at Gatoons Recording Studios, California 

Musicians:
Azar Lawrence - Reeds, Backing Vocals
Greg Cook - Keyboards, Guitar, Bass
Denzell Miller Jr., Joel Gaines - Keyboards
Leo Nocentelli, Marlowe Henderson - Guitar
James Gadson - Drums
Fred Johnson - Drum Programming [Lyndrum]
Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Eric McKain - Percussion
Coco Evans - Vocals (#A1,B1), Backing Vocals
Orin Waters, Roy Galloway - Backing Vocals 

Tracks:
A1. Magic In The Night {Azar Lawrence, Greg Cook} (3:52)
A2. Shadow Dancing {Azar Lawrence, Greg Cook} (5:33)
A3. Inside Stuff {B. Parrish} (2:47)
A4. One More Time {Fugino} (7:41)
B1. Your Love Is Keeping Me Alive {Azar Lawrence, Greg Cook} (3:38)
B2. Keep It Hot {Azar Lawrence, Greg Cook} (4:59)
B3. Singapore Nights {Azar Lawrence, Fugino} (5:11)
B4. Interlude {Azar Lawrence, Greg Cook} (2:53) 

Total Time: 36:39

Credits:
Producer - Azar Lawrence
Co-producer - Greg Cook (#A2,B2)
Executive-Producer - Dr. Riza Jardan
Engineer - Reggie Dozier
Engineer [Assistant] - Nikki Bowden
Mastering - Jeff Sanders
Art Direction, Design – Duval Lewis
Photography [Cover] - David Ogborne