Freddie McCoy - Peas 'N' Rice (1967) [re-rip>flac]

Throughout the sixties Freddie McCoy was an active vibraphonist for the Prestige label releasing seven LPs in all. In many ways he was severely overlooked; both critics and radio stations alike didn't give him the airplay or the recognition he well deserved. Despite this he still laid down some great funky cool grooves, many penned by him and others covering contemporary R&B and pop tunes. This album "Peas 'N' Rice" was released in the middle of his short-lived career, and by now he had developed a set formula in compositions and playing. Many of these sides have now become underground collector's items among acid jazz and rare-groove enthusiasts. What makes this LP stand out is the inclusion of Joanne Brackeen, Wally Richardson and Wilbur "Dud" Buscomb to nominate a few of the band members. Together they weave an elaborate mixture of Soul Jazz tunes. Joanne Brackeen joined Freddie on Funk Drops (1966), again on this date and his last three albums for Prestige Records: Beans & Greens (1967), Soul Yogi (Prestige, 1968) & Listen Here (1968) as did Wally Richardson. McCoy's vibes blend beautifully with Joanne's piano playing. Equally Richardson adds his distinctive touch and flavour here and there. The Trumpets of Buscomb and Williams act as a great backing to Freddie's vibes whilst a changing array of drummers keep a tight pace. Very entertaining and worth listening to regularly, Enjoy!

Prestige Records, PRST 7487, 1967

Recorded 6^th October, 1965 (#B4); 10^th April, 1967 (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

& 4^th May, 1967 (#A1,A4,B3) at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Freddie McCoy - Vibraphone

Wilbur "Dud" Buscomb - Trumpet (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Edward David Williams - Trumpet (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Joanne Brackeen - Piano (#A1-B3)

Wally Richardson - Guitar (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Charles L. Wilson - Piano (#B4)

Steve Davis - Bass (#B4)

Eustis Guillemet - Bass (#A1,A4,B3), Electric Bass (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Ray Lucas - Drums (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Kalil Madi - Drums (#A1,A4,B3)

Rudy Lawless - Drums (#B4)

Tracks:

A1. Peas 'N' Rice {Freddie McCoy} (3:27)

A2. Summer In The City {John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian, Steve Boone} (2:44)

A3. Huh! {Freddie McCoy} (4:05)

A4. 1-2-3 {John Medora, David White, Len Barry} (4:10)

A5. One Cylinder {Freddie McCoy} (3:05)

B1. Call Me {Tony Hatch} (3:33)

B2. Lightning Strikes {Freddie McCoy} (2:54)

B3. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (6:14)

B4. You Stepped Out Of A Dream {Nacio Herb Brown, Gus Kahn} (4:55)

Total Time: 34:39

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger, Conductor - Dave Blum
Design - Mary Jo Schwalbach

Liner Notes - Walter Cat (June, 1967)

Robin Kenyatta - Gypsy Man (1972) [vinyl]

Sweet electric funk from Robin Kenyatta - but a set with some slightly complicated moments too! The album's a bit like some of Yusef Lateef's more electric moments on Atlantic, although probably not as cerebral overall - and Robin plays a range of reeds, including alto, flute, and soprano sax - the last of which is the best fit for the record, as Kenyatta plays it with a nicely snakey sort of style! Most tracks have a strong mix of keyboards and guitar - the former played by either Larry Willis or Pat Rebillot, the latter by David Spinoza or Keith Loving. Stanley Clarke plays bass on most of the set, and there's definitely some of his influence going on here too - and one track features added vocals by Robin and Lalome Wahsburn. Deodato arranged a version of "Last Tango In Paris" - and other titles include "Gypsy Man", "Melodie Chinoise", "Werewolf", "Another Freight Train", "Seems So Long", and "Reflective Silence". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Atlantic Records, SD 1633, 1973

Recorded & Mixed in September & October, 1972 at The Hit Factory, N.Y.

Personnel:

Robin Kenyatta - Soprano & Alto Saxes, Flute, Vocals

Al Deville - Trumpet (#B2)

Seldon Powell - Saxophone (#B2)

George Patterson - Saxophone (#B2)

Jack Philpot - Saxophone (#B2)

Larry Willis - Electric Piano

George Butcher - Piano, Organ

Pat Rebillot - Piano, Organ

Charles ‘Skip’ Pitts - Guitar [Wah Wah] (#A1)

David Spinozza - Guitar

Jimmy Wood - Guitar (#B2)

Keith Loving - Guitar

Stanley Clarke - Bass, Electric Bass

Ray Lucas - Drums (#A1)

Billy Cobham - Drums

Charles Collins - Drums

Rick Marotta - Drums

Ralph MacDonald - Percussion

Don Belamy - Vocals (#A1)

Lalome Washburn - Vocals

Tracks:

A1. Last Tango In Paris (Gato Barbieri} (4:49)

A2. Another Freight Train {Robin Kenyatta} (3:36)

A3. Werewolf {Robert W. McPherson} (4:26)

A4. Reflective Silence {Robin Kenyatta} (5:19)

B1. Seems So Long {Stevie Wonder} (3:52)

B2. Gypsy Man {Robin Kenyatta} (5:22)

B3. Melodie Chinoise {Robin Kenyatta} (5:45)

B4. I've Got Dreams To Remember {Otis Redding, Zelma Redding} (6:16)

Credits:

Producer - Michael Cuscuna

Recording Engineer - Harry Maslin

Arranger - Eumir Deodato (#A1), Robin Kenyatta (#A2,A4-B4), Robert W. McPherson (#A3)

Photography [Backliner] - Penny Scherr

Photography [Cover] - Joel Brodsky

Design - Haig Adishian

Shirley Scott - Soul Song (1969) [vinyl.flac,24b/48k]

A nice late 60s effort by Shirley - and one that's been pretty hard to find over the years! Soul Song actually has a bit more of a funk groove than earlier work, and a little bit more of a soul jazz sound than some of her Prestige albums. The record features Eric Gale playing some nice guitar, plus Stanley Turrentine blowing tenor on a number of cuts, and Shirley on organ, and even singing on one track. The tracks are a bit longer than usual, too - and titles include a cover of "Think", plus "Soul Song", "Mr. Businessman", "When A Man Loves A Woman", and "Like A Lover". ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

Atlantic Records, SD 1515, 1969

Recorded 9^th (#B2) & 10^th (#A2) September at Atlantic Studios, New York City;

6^th (#A3,B1) & 7^th (#A1,B3) November, 1968 at RCA Studios, New York City

Musicians:

Shirley Scott - Organ, Vocals (#B3)

Stanley Turrentine - Tenor Saxophone (#A1-B2)

Eric Gale - Guitar (#A1,A2,B2,B3)

Bob Cranshaw - Fender Bass (#A3,B1)

Roland Martinez - Fender Bass (#A2,B2)

Bernard Purdie - Drums (#A2,B2)

Ray Lucas - Drums (#A3,B1)

Specs Powell - Drums (#A1,B3)

Track Listing:

A1. Think {Lowman Pauling} (7:57)

A2. When A Man Loves A Woman {Calvin Lewis, Andrew Wright} (6:51)

A3. Mr. Businessman {Ray Stevens} (3:08)

B1. Blowin' In The Wind {Bob Dylan} (6:17)

B2. Soul Song {Shirley Scott} (5:24)

B3. Like A Lover {Alan & M. Bergman, Danilo Caymmi, Nelson Motta} (4:00)

Credits:

Producer - Joel Dorn

Recording Engineers - Adrian Barber, Paul Goodman

Cover Illustration & Design - Stanislaw Zagorski

Liner Notes - Bernard Drayton