Billy Butler - This Is Billy Butler! (1968) [re-rip]

In the 1960s, Billy Butler was not only one of the top guitarists in the soul-jazz field - he was also a busy, in-demand session player who backed his share of R&B heavyweights. Butler, one of the countless jazz greats who came out of Philadelphia, had so much work as a sideman that it took him a long time to record an album under his own name. In fact, the guitarist had just turned 43 when, in December 1968, he recorded his first session as a leader, This Is Billy Butler. This vinyl LP is a soul-jazz/hard bop classic, and Butler has a talented cast of players to help him pull it off - one that includes producer Bob Porter and engineer Rudy van Gelder, as well as tenor saxman Houston Person and pianist/organist Ernie Hayes (among others). While Person delivers his share of inspired solos, Butler is the man in the driver's seat, and he really soars on material that ranges from Nat Adderley's "Work Song" to Butler originals like "Bass-ic Blues" and "The Soul Roll." Butler and his sidemen also turn their attention to Don Redman's "Cherry," a standard that has often been heard in classic jazz and swing settings, but easily lends itself to an inspired soul-jazz makeover. In retrospect, it's surprising that a guitarist of Butler's stature didn't record as a leader extensively - after providing four of his own LPs for Prestige in 1968-1970, he only recorded a few more LPs for various independent labels. But then, Butler's sidemen work didn't leave him with a lot of free time. It took the Philadelphian 43 years to record as a leader, and this excellent LP proved that he was certainly up to the task. ~ by Alex Henderson, AMG.

Prestige Records, PRST 7622, 1969

Recorded 16^th December, 1968 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

Billy Butler - Guitar, Bass Guitar (#B3)

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone (Except #B3)

Ernie Hayes - Organ (#A1,A3-B2), Electric Piano (#A2,B3)

Bob Bushnell - Electric Bass

Rudy Collins - Drums

Tracks:

A1. The Twang Thang {Billy Butler, Ernie Hayes} (5:13)

A2. Cherry {Don Redman, Ray Gilbert} (6:44)

A3. Work Song {Nat Adderley} (5:52)

B1. The Soul Roll {Billy Butler} (4:41)

B2. She Is My Inspiration {Connie Wharton, Edward Wharton} (5:12)

B3. Bass-ic Blues {Billy Butler} (6:23)

Credits:

Supervision, Liner Notes - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design, Photo - Don Schlitten

Leo Wright - Suddenly The Blues (1962) [vinyl>flac]

A first-rate bop-oriented alto saxophonist, Wright was also one of the finest flutists jazz has known. He studied saxophone under the tutelage of his father. His first recording was made in 1958 with vibist Dave Pike; the next year, he played the Newport Festival with bassist Charles Mingus' group. Wright joined Dizzy Gillespie's band in 1959, remaining until 1962. In addition to his sideman work, Wright established himself as a leader in the early '60s, leading New York-based bands that included the likes of bassist Ron Carter, pianist Junior Mance, drummer Charlie Persip, and guitarist Kenny Burrell, among others. In 1960, he recorded the record for which he is perhaps best-known -- Blues Shout for the Atlantic label -- with a group consisting of himself, Mance, Persip, bassist Art Davis, and trumpeter Richard Williams. After leaving Gillespie's band, Wright went on to play and record with pianist/composer Lalo Schifrin and organist Jack McDuff ; with the latter he recorded Screamin' for the Prestige label. He also worked with composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, trumpeter Johnny Coles, and singer Jimmy Witherspoon before moving to Europe later in the decade. There he worked with pianist/composer George Gruntz and he also played with saxophonist Lee Konitz in an all-star group called Alto Summit and with trumpeter Carmell Jones. Wright eventually moved to Berlin, where he played in a studio band and worked freelance. In May 1978, Wright co-led a studio session in New York City with pianist Red Garland for Muse Records. He essentially retired from music around 1979, before re-emerging in the mid-'80s. In 1986, Wright played gigs with the Paris Reunion Band, which also included trombonist Grachan Moncur III, cornetist Nat Adderley, and pianist Kenny Drew Sr. In the years before his death, Wright worked and recorded with his wife, singer Elly Wright. His autobiography, God Is My Booking Agent, was published posthumously by Bayou Press in the fall of 1991. His last recording was made with his wife on her CD Listen to My Plea. ~ Chris Kelsey, AMG.

Atlantic Records, 1393, 1962

Atlantic Jazz LP, 29 [Japan], AMJY-1393, 1992

Recorded 23^rd April, 1962 in New York City

Personnel:

Leo Wright - Alto Sax (#A1,A3,A5,B2,B4), Flute (#A2,A4-B1,B3)

Kenny Burrell - Guitar

Ron Carter - Bass

Rudy Collins - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. A Felicidad {Antonio Jobim} (2:36)

A2. Greensleeves {Traditional} (2:45)

A3. Gensel's Message {Leo Wright} (4:10)

A4. The Wiggler {Leo Wright} (2:54)

A5. Tali {Tommy McIntosh} (4:43)

B1. Dionysos {Lalo Schiffrin} (3:09)

B2. Sassy Lady {Tommy McIntosh} (4:25)

B3. Willow Weep For Me {Ann Ronell} (4:23)

B4. Suddenly The Blues {Leo Wright} (5:05)

Credits:

Supervisor - Nesuhi Ertegun

Recording Engineer - Phil Iehle, Tom Dowd

Cover Design - Haig Adishian

Cover Photo - Jim Marshall

Liner Notes - Gary Kramer

Ray Bryant - The Ray Bryant Touch (1967) [vinyl>flac]

Here’s another classic LP by Ray Bryant on the rare and elusive Cadet label. As usual Ray’s piano playing is simply marvellous as is the backing by his crack rhythm section; being Jimmy Rowser on bass and Rudy Collins on Drums. This album comprises of recordings taken from a live gig at Memory Lane L.A. All the excitement and showmanship of the trio is well and truly on display here. Four of the seven tunes are penned by Bryant; the others match with Soul Jazz appeal. In the end you wish you could have been there to share in the exuberance. Enjoy!

Simple stuff - but very nice! Ray's working here in a live trio setting - ala Ramsey Lewis or Les McCann from the same time - and his work on the album has a similar gutbuckety soul feel to it. The rhythm section of Jimmy Rowser bass and Rudy Collins drums is very tight - and the best cuts kick along with a heavy groove that's a lot more than you'd expect from the setting. Titles include "Little Suzie", "Takin My Ease", "City Tribal Dance", and "Prayer Song". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Cadet Records, LPS 793, 1967

Recorded 19^th & 20^th May, 1967 Live at Memory Lane, Los Angeles, California

Personnel:

Ray Bryant - Piano

Jimmy Rowser - Bass

Rudy Collins - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Little Suzie {Ray Bryant} (5:00)

A2. Is All I Ask {Gordon Jenkins} (5:34)

A3. City Tribal Dance {Ray Bryant} (2:27)

A4. Prayer Song This {Ray Bryant} (4:09)

B1. You Keep Me Hangin' On {Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland} (5:14)

B2. Talkin' My Ease {Ray Bryant} (5:19)

B3. And I Love Her {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (7:31)

Credits:

Producer - Esmond Edwards

Engineer - Wally Heider

Design [Cover] - Jerry Griffith

Photography [Cover] - Don S. Bornstein

Liner Notes - Jack Springer (WCHB & WCHD, Detroit)

Notes:

Released as LP on Bellaphon/Chess 4019 (Germany, 1967)

and LP on Baybridge ULS-6113-BC (Japan, 1983)