A sweet little groover from
guitarist Jimmy Ponder -- a surprisingly satisfying record that features Ponder
soloing out over some tight funky backings that almost sound like the best of
the larger group sessions on Kudu or Groove Merchant. Jimmy's playing a sweet
hollow body that gives him a tone that's a bit like O'Donnel Levy -- warm and
chromatic, with single notes picked out in a tight progression that has a lot
more jazz than you'd expect for the session at the time. One cut does have some
vocals from Jimmy, but the rest is instrumental -- with tracks that include
"So In Love", "Quintessence", "Bro
James", and "Easy".
Dusty Groove.
ABC Impulse! AS-9327, 1977 Recorded at Sound Ideas, New
York, N.Y. and ABC Recording Studios, Los
Angeles, California
Musicians: Jimmy Ponder - Guitar, Vocals
(#A1) Albert Prince - Electric
Piano (#A1,B3), Organ (#A2,A3,B1), Clavinet (#A4), Piano (#B2) Sonny Burke - Clavinet
(#A1,B1), Piano (#A2), ARP String Ensemble (#B1) Cedric Lawson, Michael
Boddicker - Synthesizer (#B2) Chris White - Bass
(#A3,A4,B2) James Jamerson, Sr. - Bass
(#A1,B3) Scott Edwards - Bass (#A2,B1) Victor Jones - Drums
(#A1-A4,B2,B3) James Gadson - Drums (#B1) Paulinho Da Costa - Conga Drums (#A1,A2,A4), Percussion (#A2,B2), Bongo
Drums (#B1) Stacy Edwards - Percussion
(#A3) +
Strings (#A1,A3,B3) Arranger, Conductor - Johnny
Pate Concertmaster - Charles Veal
Tracks: A1. If You Need Someone To
Love {Jimmy Ponder} (6:10) A2. Going Back To Country
Living {Bell, Creed} (5:18) A3. Easy {Jimmy Ponder}
(4:02) A4. Bro' James {Jimmy Ponder}
(5:20) B1. White Room {Bruce, Brown}
(6:10) B2. Quintessence {Jimmy
Ponder} (7:02) B3. So In Love {Jimmy Ponder} (5:47)
Total Time: 39:49
Credits: Producer - Esmond Edwards Recording & Mixing
Engineer - Barney Perkins Recording Engineer - Skip
Juried Collage Design - John Van
Hamersveld Photography - Chris Callis Art Direction - Earl Klasky
Joe Sample returns to the
smooth jazz style of his popular albums Rainbow Seeker, Carmel,
and Voices in the Rain on 1983's The Hunter. The keyboardist
fills up a studio with like-minded session musicians including trumpeter Tom
Browne, horn players Chuck Findley, Jerry Hey, and Ernie Watts, guitarists Dean
Parks, David Spinozza, and Phil Upchurch, bassists Abraham Laboriel and Marcus Miller,
percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and drummer Steve Gadd, and sets them loose on
some rhythmic tracks with a rock/R&B feel. The beat is paramount, a
constant augmented by funky, popping basslines, with guitar solos and horn
charts overlaid. And, weaving in and out is Sample, on either acoustic or
electric piano, finding room to solo extensively. The solos are more of the
rock variety than what a conventional jazz fan would recognize, since they are
anchored to the relentless beats. But Sample is one of the more accomplished
players in smooth jazz, and his sidemen are able to support him and, when given
the chance, match him in their playing. ~ by William Ruhlmann, AMG.
MCA Records, MCAD-1471, 1983 Recorded at Sound Recorders, Hollywood
and Salty Dog Studios, L.A., CA; Except ‘The Hunter’ at A
& R Studios, New York, N.Y.
Musicians: Joe Sample - Keyboards
[Acoustic], Electric Piano, Synthesizer Tom Browne - Trumpet [Lead],
Soloist (#1) Bill Reichenbach, Chuck
Findley, Dick Hyde, Ernie Watts, Jerry Hey, Larry Williams, Steve Madaio - Horns (#1,3-6) John Phillips - Woodwinds
(#2), Bass Clarinet, Soloist (#6) Rory Kaplan - Programming
[Synthesizers] Galen Senogles - Synthesizer
[Overdubs] David Spinozza - Guitar (#1) Phil Upchurch - Guitar,
Soloist (#3) Dean Parks - Guitar (#2-4,6),
Soloist (#5), Rhythm Guitar (#5) Marcus Miller - Bass (#1) Abraham Laboriel - Bass
(#2-6) Steve Gadd - Drums (#1) Bob Wilson - Drums (#2-6) Paulinho da Costa - Percussion
Tracks: 1. The Hunter (5:48) 2. Blue Ballet (4:09) 3. Beauty And The Beast
(6:29) 4. Wings Of Fire (5:25) 5. Just A Little Higher
(5:32) 6. Night Flight (9:00)
All compositions by Joe
Sample
Total Time: 36:26
Credits: Producer - Joe Sample, Wilton
Felder Executive Assistant - Tom
Hooper Recording Engineer - Jim
Boyer (#1) Recording & Mixing (#2) Engineer
- Rik Pekkonen Mixing - Galen Senogles, Wilton
Felder (#1,3-6) Mastering Engineer - Bernie
Grundman [A&M Studios] Coordinator - Pamela H.
Lobue, Robin Howell Art Direction - George Osaki Painting [Cover] - Laddia
Holly
Great album. Ernie's
proficiency comes through on Chariots of Fire followed by other
funk-jazz infused tracks, obviously with Quincy's production influence. A
delightful listen overall! ~ Pa Colin, Amazon.com.
On this album saxophonist
Ernie Watts blows in all directions and can easily be considered one of the
masterpieces of Qwest Records led by producer Quincy Jones. The theme was the
title song composed by Vangelis for "Chariots of Fire" which won the
Best Picture Award at the 54th Academy Awards, and arranged by Michael
Omartian. Ernie is joined by some great musicians including: Keyboardists
Richard Tee, Don Grusin, Greg Phillinganes; guitarists Steve Lukather, David E.
Williams, bassist Neil Stubenhaus and drummer John Robinson to name a few. Overall,
a disco-fusion flavoured sound that will entertain even the most discerning of
listeners, Enjoy!
Qwest Records, QW 56 982, 1982 Qwest Records, WPCR-28018, 2014 Recorded 19th-31st October,
1981 at Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, California
Musicians: Ernie Watts - Alto Sax, Tenor
Sax, Flute, Percussion, Vocals Larry Hall - Trumpet Jerry Hey - Trumpet, Flugelhorn,
Horn Arrangements Bill Reichenbach Jr. -
Trombone, Trumpet Don Grusin - Keyboards, Piano
[Electric], Synthesizer James Ingram - Keyboards, Rhythm
& Vocal Arranger, Vocal Effect, Vocals Michael Omartian - Keyboards,
Piano, Strings, Arranger Greg Phillinganes -
Synthesizer, Synthesizer Bass Richard Tee - Keyboards,
Piano [Electric] Ian Underwood - Synthesizer Steve Lukather - Guitar Carlos Rios - Guitar David E. Williams - Guitar
[Rhythm] Neil Stubenhaus - Bass John "J.R."
Robinson - Drums Paulinho Da Costa -
Percussion Quincy Jones - Percussion,
Rhythm Arrangements Howard Hewett, Phillip Ingram
- Vocals
Tracks: A1. Chariots Of Fire [Theme]
(Dance Version) {Vangelis} (5:55) A2. Hold On {James Ingram,
Quincy Jones} (4:25) A3. Lady {Lionel B. Richie
Jr.} (3:49) A4. Gigolo {Quincy Jones,
Merria Ross} (4:36) B1. Valdez In The Country
{Donny Hathaway} (5:14) B2. Abraham's Theme
{Vangelis} (3:46) B3. Five Circles {Vangelis}
(3:40) B4. Chariots Of Fire [Theme]
(Slow Version) {Vangelis} (4:27)
Total Time: 35:56
Credits: Producer, Liner Notes -
Quincy Jones Recording & Mixing -
Bruce Swedien [Acusonic] Mastering - Bernie Grundman Art Direction & Design -
Art Sim [11:24 Design] Photography - Bobby Holland
This Qwest project was a
typical crossover project for Ernie Watts, who recorded a series of commercial
sets for Elektra and Qwest. The rhythms are danceable; Watts displays
attractive tones on tenor, alto, and soprano; the supporting cast includes top
L.A. studio musicians; Don Grusin contributes keyboards and electronic rhythms;
among the many vocalists are Larry Williams and Phil Perry; and guitarist Lee
Ritenour pops up on a few numbers. Ernie Watts would soon start recording more
creative jazz and start to realize his potential, which is largely wasted
on this effort. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.
Qwest Records, 9 25513-1, 1986 Recorded at Monterey Sound
Studios, Glendale, California; and Additional at Starlight
Studio, Malibu, California.
Musicians: Ernie Watts - Alto (#A1,A3,B1,B3),
Soprano (#A2,B1), Tenor (#A2,A4,B2,B4) Larry Williams - Synth Voice
(#A1), Funny Horns (#A2), Horse Hoofs (#A3), Synth Horn (#B1), Synth Strings (#B4), Vocals [Background] Don Grusin - Keyboards, Drum
& Synthesizer Programming, Vocal Arranger Lee Ritenour - Guitar
(#A1,A3,B2) Carlos Rios - Guitar (#A2,B3) Abraham Laboriel, Sr. - Bass
(#A4,B2) Nathan East - Bass (#B1) John Robinson - Drums
(#A1-A3,B3) Carlos Vega - Drums (#A4,B1) Paulinho da Costa -
Percussion (#A1,A2,B2) Alex Acuña - Drums (#B2),
Percussion (#B2,B4) Phil Perry - Vocals
(#A2,A4,B3), Background Vocals (#A1), Arranger [Vocals] Kevin Dorsey, Aladrain
Elmore, Roy Galloway, Siedah Garrett, Kate Markowitz, Lillain Tynes Perry, Darryl
Phinnessee, Oren Waters - Background Vocals
Tracks: A1. Taj {Don Grusin} (4:11) A2. She Feels Good {Don
Grusin} (3:53) A3. Cowboy Dreams {Don
Grusin} (4:22) A4. Homeland {Phil Perry, Don
Grusin} (4:55) B1. Chinook {Don Grusin}
(5:30) B2. Sanctuary {Ernie Watts}
(5:20) B3. City Speak {Don Grusin}
(4:18) B4. The Peace Offering {Ernie
Watts} (3:22)
Total Time: 35:51
Credits: Producer - Ernie Watts Producer, Mixing [Digital],
Arranger - Don Grusin Executive-Producer - Quincy
Jones Recording Engineer, Mixing
[Digital] - Geoff Gillette Additional Engineering - Don
Murray Assistant Engineer, Digital
Mixing - Stan Katayama Assistant Engineer - Terry
Bower Mastering - Wally Traugott Art Direction, Design -
Gabrielle Raumberger
"Deep within our
souls is a place of peace and love, where there is no hate, no
war, no competition. This is our true
homeland - our sanctuary of the heart."
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
The Crusaders produced this
'80 album, one of the better Randy Crawford sets. The song "Last Night At
Danceland" was a hit, while the album cut "One Day I'll Fly
Away" got widespread radio airplay and did well in the international
market. Crawford's quivering delivery and eclectic nature has made it difficult
for record companies to target and market her material; this was one of the few
times she penetrated the urban contemporary and R&B markets. ~ by Ron Wynn,
AMG.
Warner Brothers Records,
7599-23421-2, 1991 Recorded at Hollywood Sound
Recorders, Los Angeles, CA; Wizard Recording Studios, Los
Angeles, California
Musicians: Randy Crawford - Vocals Joe Sample - Keyboards,
Arranger [Strings] Oscar Brashear - Trumpet (#3) Dean Parks, Roland Bautista,
Tim May - Guitar David T. Walker - Guitar (#2) Wilton Felder - Bass, Tenor
Saxophone (#7) Abraham Laboriel - Bass Stix Hooper, Mike Baird -
Drums Eddie Brown, Paulinho Da
Costa - Percussion Gwen Owens, Julia Tillman,
Maxine Willard, Melvin Franklin - Backing Vocals
Tracks: 1. Last Night At Danceland
{Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (4:57) 2. Tender Falls The Rain
{Randy Crawford} (4:11) 3. My Heart Is Not As Young
As It Used To Be {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (3:54) 4. Now We May Begin {Joe
Sample} (4:56) 5. Blue Flame {Joe Sample,
Will Jennings} (6:28) 6. One Day I'll Fly Away {Joe
Sample, Will Jennings} (5:02) 7. Same Old Story (Same Old
Song] {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (4:08) 8. When Your Life Was Low
{Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (3:20)
Total Time: 36:59
Credits: Producer - Stix Hooper, Joe
Sample, Wilton Felder [Crusaders Records Productions Inc.] Engineer - Jeremy Smith Engineer [Assistant] - Bill
Koepnick, Hill Brin Swimmer Mixing - Howard Siegel, Rick
Ruggieri, Bob Margouleff Mastering - Bernie Grundman Production Coordinator -
Pamela Hope Lobue Special Equipment Coordinator
- Michael Lovelady Photography - Norman Seeff Art Direction - Richard
Seireeni
Although trumpeter Terence
Blanchard gets first billing on this recording, it is very much a joint effort
with singer-composer Ivan Lins. Not only are all 13 songs by Lins but he sings
on all but the three instrumentals although sometimes just wordlessly in the
background. Blanchard often harmonizes with Lins' voice, creating a melancholy
and dreamy atmosphere. Most selections feature Blanchard's regular rhythm
section of the time, augmented by Paulinho Da Costa's percussion and
occasionally Oscar Castro-Neves' acoustic guitar. This CD, which is full of
haunting ballads along with a few more jubilant numbers, serves as a superior
introduction to Lins' music for jazz fans who might only be familiar with his
"Love Dance." ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.
Columbia Records, CK 67415,
1996 Recorded 28th-31st August,
1995 at Conway Studios, Studio C, Hollywood, California
Musicians: Terence Blanchard - Trumpet,
Arranger [Cello] Ivan Lins - Piano, Vocals (#1-4,6,8,9,11-13) Edward Simon - Piano
(#1,2,4-10,12,13) Oscar Castro-Neves - Guitar
(#1-3,9,13) David Pulphus - Bass
(#1-10,12,13) David Bohanovich - Cello (#2) Fred Zlotkin - Cello (#8,10) Troy Davis - Drums
(#1-7,9,10,12,13) Paulinho Da Costa -
Percussion (#1-4,6,9,12,13)
Tracks: 01. Aparecida {Ivan Lins,
Maurício Tapajós} (6:02) 02. Antes Que Seja Tarde
{Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (5:30) 03. Meu Pais [My Country]
{Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (3:57) 04. Valsa Mineira {Ivan Lins}
(4:54) 05. The Heart Speaks {Ivan
Lins} (5:28) 06. Congada Blues {Ivan Lins,
Vitor Martins} (5:37) 07. Nocturna {Ivan Lins,
Vitor Martins} (5:26) 08. Just For Nana {Ivan Lins}
(5:04) 09. Orizimbo And Rosicler
{Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (4:31) 10. Choros Das Aguas {Ivan
Lins, Vitor Martins} (7:29) 11. Love Dance {Paul
Williams, Ivan Lins, Gilson Peranzzetta, Vitor Martins} / Começar de Novo {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (4:26) 12. Menino {Ivan Lins, Vitor
Martins} (4:50) 13. Aparecida Reprise {Ivan
Lins, Maurício Tapajós} (1:05)
Total Time: 64:27
Credits: Producer - Miles Goodman Executive Producer - Tony
McAnany Associate Producer - Robin
Burgess Engineer, Mixing - Joel Moss,
James Nichols Assistant Engineer - Sean
O’Dwyer Mastering - Vladimir Meller Photography - Hans Neleman Art Direction - Joel
Zimmerman Liner Notes - Ivan Lins
With apologies to Dianne
Reeves, Patti Austin has always quite simply been the best jack-of-all-genre
singers on the planet, crossing effortlessly from jazz to pop and R&B with
a voice that's so sweet, rich, and lovely, it can't help but warm the heart. On
the heels of her 1988 masterpiece The Real Me, her GRP debut packs a wallop of
festive up-tempo tunes, lite funk pop, torchy message songs, passionate
ballads, and breezy tenderness -- all delivered with a truly Austin-tatious
flair. Austin surrounds herself with some of pop jazz's best here, with GRP's
1990 roster well represented: Dave Grusin (whose production is flawless), Don
Grusin (with whom she co-wrote the happy "Ooh Wee [The Carnival]"),
Deborah Henson-Conant (whose harp adds punch to "In My Dreams"), Lee
Ritenour, and Nelson Rangell (whose alto soars on the title cut). But as
tantalizing as the music is, it is Austin who gives the collection wings with a
powerful voice whose mood she so artfully modulates depending on the feel of
the individual tune. Soft and tender on her own composition "In My
Life," easy and lilting for "In My Dreams," and full of genuine
excitement for "Through the Test of Time" and "Ooh Wee." An
added bonus is the Oscar nominated "The Girl Who Used to Be Me,"
which gives Austin a chance to show her range, even if the tune is a bit
schmaltzy. ~ by Jonathan Widran, AMG.
GRP Records, GRD-9603, 1990 Recorded At Sunset Sound
Studios, Hollywood, California
Personnel: Patti Austin - Vocals,
Backing Vocals, Vocal Arrangements Dave Grusin - Piano,
Synthesizer, Keyboards, Harmonica, Rhythm & Vocal Arrangements, Vocals
[Background] Nelson Rangell - Alto
Saxophone Ernie Watts - Tenor Saxophone David Paich - Keyboards,
Synthesizer, Arranger Greg Phillinganes - Piano Steve Porcaro - Synthesizer Michael Landau, Lee Ritenour
- Guitar Nathan East, Neil Stubenhaus
- Bass Deborah Henson-Conant - Harp Harvey Mason - Drums Paulinho Da Costa, Lenny
Castro, Michael Fisher, Jeff Porcaro - Percussion Robin Beck, Shelton Becton,
Jocelyn Brown, Bill Eaton, Lani Groves, Casey Sissik, James
"D-Train" Williams - Vocals [Background]
Strings: David Nadien - Concert
Master, Violin Elena Barere, Arnold Eidus,
Barry Finclair, Regis Iandiorio, Charles Libove, Louann Montesi, John
Pintavalle, Matthew Raimondi, Richard Sortomme, Marti Sweet, Gerald Tarack -
Violin Jean R. Dane, Carol Landon,
Sue Pray - Viola Charles McCracken, Richard
Locker - Cello
Tracks: 01. Through The Test Of Time
{David Pack, Jeff Pescetto} (5:07) 02. Too Soon To Know
{Lorraine Feather, Michael McDonald, David Pack} (4:23) 03. In My Life {Patti Austin}
(4:04) 04. Love Is Gonna Getcha {Lou
Pardini, Alan Scott, Reed Vertelney} (5:04) 05. Ooh-Whee [The Carnival]
{Patti Austin, Don Grusin} (5:41) 06. Believe The Children {Lyn
Laboriel, Lou Pardini, Abraham Laboriel, Sr.} (5:36) 07. Good In Love {Robin
Batteau, François Eckart, Jeff Southworth} (4:38) 08. Wait For Me {Don Grusin,
Kate Markowitz, Christina Trulio} (5:26) 09. First Time Love {Patti
Austin, Dave Grusin, Harvey Mason, Sr.} (5:31) 10. In My Dream {Eddie Arkin,
Edward Arkin, Beckie Foster} (5:09) 11. The Girl Who Used To Be
Me {Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Marvin Hamlisch} (4:16)
Total Time: 54:55
Credits: Producer, Executive Producer,
Liner Notes - Dave Grusin Executive Producer, Producer
- Larry Rosen Producer - David Paich Production Coordination -
Suzanne Sherman Production Assistant -
Barbara Hein Engineer - Bill Cooper, Tom
Knox, Ed Rak, Bob Schaper Assistant Engineer, Engineer
- Matthew "Boomer" La Monica, Joe Martin, Brian Soucy Engineer, Mixing - Don Murray Mixing Assistant - Elaine
Anderson Digital Editing - Mike Landy,
Robert Vosgien Mastering - Wally Traugott Creative Director - Andy
Baltimore Photography - Richard Corman Graphic Design - David Gibb,
Jacki McCarthy, Andy Ruggirello, Dan Serrano Liner Notes - Patti
Austin
