Joe Sample - Rhino Hi-Five (2007)

A fine compilation of Joe Sample tracks selected by Rhino Records as part of their Hi-Five series of digital downloads released in 2007. 

Rhino Records, Digital Download, 2007 

Musicians:
Joe Sample - Piano, Piano [Electric], Keyboards, Synthesizer, Arranger
Larry Williams, Ricky Peterson - Synthesizer
St. Paul, Michael Landau - Guitar
Dean Parks - Guitar [Electric]
Marcus Miller - Bass
Steve Gadd, Omar Hakim - Drums
Lenny Castro - Percussion
Jason Miles, Robbie Buchanan - Programming
Lori Perry, Lynn Davis, Jim Gilstrap - Vocals [Background] 

Tracks:
1. Spellbound {Joe Sample} (4:29)
2. Ashes To Ashes {Joe Sample} (4:53)
3. Invitation {Bronislaw Kaper} (4:21)
4. Stormy Weather {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (5:01)
5. Street Life {Joe Sample} (5:04) 

Total Time: 23:52 

Credits:
Producer - Joe Sample, George Duke, Tommy LiPuma

Michel Petrucciani - Playground (1991)

Pianist Michel Petrucciani, who during the early part of his career was heavily influenced by Bill Evans, gradually developed his own sound. By 1991 he was using Adam Holzman on synthesizer with his quintet (which on this date also includes bassist Anthony Jackson, drummer Omar Hakim and percussionist Steve Thornton) to play colors behind his piano. In addition, Petrucciani was backed by funky rhythms and emphasized his own original compositions. Rather than selling out to blatant commercialism, Petrucciani had actually found his own voice within the "contemporary" setting. The music on his CD is of consistently high quality (despite a few too many fadeouts). Highlights include "Miles Davis' Licks" (a blues that utilizes some of Davis' late-period nursery rhyme melodies), the intense "Brazilian Suite #3," a playful jam on "Laws of Physics" and the Keith Jarrett-ish "P'tit Louis." Actually, all 11 of Michel Petrucciani's originals are worth hearing and, despite the brief playing time (39 minutes) of this CD, it is recommended. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Blue Note, CDP 7 95480 2, 1991
Recorded [Basic tracks and Overdubs] at Clinton Recording Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Michel Petrucciani - Piano [Steinway], Synthesizer, Arranger
Adam Holzman - Synthesizer, Programming [Synthesizer], Co-Arranger
Anthony Jackson - Bass
Omar Hakim - Drums (#1-4,6-9,11)
Aldo Romano - Drums (#5)
Steve Thornton - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. September Second {Michel Petrucciani} (4:45)
02. Home {Michel Petrucciani} (5:29)
03. P'tit Louis {Michel Petrucciani} (4:35)
04. Miles Davis' Licks {Michel Petrucciani} (4:29)
05. Rachid {Michel Petrucciani} (3:26)
06. Brazilian Suite #3 {Michel Petrucciani} (2:34)
07. Play School {Michel Petrucciani} (3:05)
08. Contradictions {Michel Petrucciani} (3:00)
09. Laws Of Physics {Adam Holzman} (4:47)
10. Piango, Pay The Man {Michel Petrucciani} (1:54)
11. Like That {Michel Petrucciani} (1:41) 

Total Time: 39:45 

Credits:
Producer - Eric Kressmann, Michel Petrucciani
Engineer - Tom Swift
Recording [Assistant] - Joe Martin, Neil Dignon
Mixing [Assistant] - David Merrill
Mastering - Jose Rodriques
Photography [Back] - Carol Friedman
Photography [Cover] - John Fenton
Art Direction - Carol Friedman
Design - Patrick Roques