Carla Cook - Simply Natural (2002)

"Simply Natural." The song's title describes what Carla Cook is all about and what makes her such a thrilling vocalist. She's genuine. Both her scat singing and her lyric interpretations result in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can sit back and enjoy being a part of it. Accompanists Bruce Barth and Cyrus Chestnut are in fine form. The program's song selection offers a wide variety that allows Cook's natural beauty to shine through. She's crossed generations by combining classics such as "Tulip or Turnip" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" with "Scarborough Fair," "Watermelon Man" and Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Strong Man." The combination of scat singing with soulful lyric interpretations makes Cook's natural delivery take control. I find this album atop my ten-best list for the year. Must a jazz singer scat? I think so. It's like asking, "Should a jazz singer use E-flat, E, F, F-sharp and G?" Carla Cook sings accurately, with a natural swing, and creatively. What places her session above most others, is the natural manner she brings to the performance. This is straight-ahead jazz that everyone can turn to when they need to hear a friendly smile. ~ by Jim Santella, AAJ. 

MAXJAZZ, MXJ 115, 2002
Recorded 20th & 21st June, 2002 at Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Carla Cook - Vocals
Cyrus Chestnut - Piano (#1,3,6,7,9,11), Fender Rhodes (#2,4,9,10)
Bruce Barth - Piano (#2,5,8)
Kenny Davis - Acoustic Bass (#1-3,5-9,11), Electric Bass (#4,10)
Billy Kilson - Drums
Steve Kroon - Percussion (#1,4,7) 

Tracks:
01. Simply Natural {Carla Cook} (4:53)
02. Tulip Or Turnip {Duke Ellington, Don George} (4:55)
03. Weak For The Man {Jeanne Burns} (7:02)
04. Watermelon Man {Herbie Hancock, Gloria Lynne} (6:27)
05. Strong Man {Oscar Brown Jr.} (4:37)
06. Something 'Bout Believing {Duke Ellington} (5:25)
07. Scarborough Fair {Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel} (5:20)
08. Are You With Me {Herb Levin, Des Robinson} (3:55)
09. Summer [Estaté] {Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino, Joel E. Siegel} (5:15)
10. Still Gotta Thing For You {Carla Cook} (6:00)
11. I Can't Give You Anything But Love {Dorothy fields, Jimmy McHugh} (4:57) 

Total Time: 58:50 

Credits
Producer - Bruce Barth, Carla Cook
Recording & Mastering Engineer - Katsuhiko Naito
Engineer [Assistant] - Max Ross
Design & Art Direction - Pressley Jacobs
Photography - Jimmy & Dena Katz
Liner Notes - Mary Ellen Sullivan

Mulgrew Miller - Getting To Know You (1995)

Mulgrew Miller is in top form for these 1995 sessions. as he covers a wide range of compositions. With his regular trio on hand, including bassist Richie Goods and drummer Karriem Riggins, plus the addition of percussionist Steve Kroon and conga player Big Black, this marked the pianist's final recording for the Novus label. Miller's exotic "Eastern Joy Dance" and thoughtful "Second Thoughts" (which brings James Williams' writing style to mind) provide an excellent introduction. Standards include a breezy waltz treatment of "Getting to Know You" (from The King and I) and a driving rendition of "If I Should Lose You." The Beatles' "Fool on the Hill" takes flight in Miller's hands, as he adds a sprightly touch without sounding like a cocktail pianist. He also manages to make something of the usually lame "I Don't Know How to Love Him," as one wouldn't expect an introspective gospel flavor added to an Andrew Lloyd Webber composition, even if it is from Jesus Christ Superstar. Goods' contributed the soulful "Nandhi" to provide a strong finish to this rewarding, though now sadly out of print, CD. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

RCA/Novus Records, 01241 63188-2, 1995
Recorded & Mixed 20th-21st March, 1995 At Manhattan Center Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Mulgrew Miller - Piano [Steinway Concert Grand]
Richie Goods - Bass
Karriem Riggins - Drums
Big Black - Conga (#1,2,4,7)
Steve Kroon - Percussion (#1,2,7,8) 

Tracks:
01. Eastern Joy Dance {Mulgrew Miller} (6:39)
02. Second Thoughts {Mulgrew Miller} (5:49)
03. Sweet Sioux {Freddie Hubbard} (6:52)
04. Getting To Know You {Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II} (6:19)
05. Whisper {Mulgrew Miller} (5:46)
06. Didn't We {Jimmy Webb} (5:15)
07. Fool On The Hill {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (6:46)
08. I Don't Know How To Love Him {Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice} (5:11)
09. If I Should Lose You {Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin} (6:54)
10. Nandhi {Richie Goods} (5:36) 

Total Time: 61:07 

Credits:
Producer - Tim Patterson
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - James Nicholls
Assistant Recording & Mixing Engineer - Richard Clarke
Art Direction, Artwork, Design - Sean Mosher-Smith
Photography - Daniel Miller
Liner Notes - Samuel Fromartz

Dom Um Romão - Hotmosphere (1976)

More pop than hot, this mixed bag from Brazilian drummer and percussionist Dom Um Romão ranges from singalong Carnival tunes to more substantial tracks featuring superior arranging and solo work. A veteran of the Latin, pop, and jazz scenes, Romao's extensive CV includes work with Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 and an early edition of Weather Report. Hotmosphere is in the Latin pop vein of the Mendes group, rather than a missing chapter from the days of Weather Report's I Sing the Body Electric. While Romao is the titular leader, his role on this 1976 release is more of an ensemble member than featured artist. It's Célia Vaz's arrangements for a crack lineup of session players that are the main interest. The high points are the four or five arrangements that gracefully interweave the horns with the sensuously pulsing voices of Sivuca, Julie Janeiro, and Gloria Oliveira. The charts also work in some intriguing Oregon-like passages for cello and soprano sax, and set up strong solos from Mauricio Smith on soprano sax and flute, Dom Salvador on piano, and from trumpeter Claudio Roditi, who brings some hard bop fire to the date. Sivuca's several solos where he vocalizes in unison with his uncredited accordion will be, at best, an acquired taste for listeners. Many, though, will find his piercing nasal tone annoying. ~ by Jim Todd, AMG.

Pablo Records, 2310-777, 1976
Original Jazz Classics, OJCCD-977-2, 1998
Recorded 12^th, 13^th January and 17^th & 23^rd February, 1976 At RCA Recording Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Dom Um Romão - Drums
Alan Rubin, Claudio Roditi - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Jack Jeffries, Tom Malone - Trombone
Ronnie Cuber, Sonny Fortune - Saxophone
Mauricio Smith - Soprano Saxophone
Lou Del Gatto, Mauricio Smith - Clarinet, Flute
Dom Salvador - Piano
Ricardo Peixoto, Sivuca - Acoustic Guitar
Ron Carter - Acoustic Bass
Juan "Tito" Russo - Electric Bass
Pat Dixon, Ulysses Kirksey - Cello
Steve Kroon - Percussion, Congas
Glória Oliveira, Julie Janiero, Sivuca - Backing Vocals
Célia Vaz - Conductor, Arranger 

Tracks:
A1. Escravos De Jo {Milton Nascimento} (4:06)
A2. Mistura Fina {Luiz Bandeira} (3:10)
A3. Caravan {Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol} (5:14)
A4. Spring {Ricardo Peixoto} (3:33)
A5. Pra Que Chorar {Baden Powell} (4:44)
B1. Amor Em Jacuma {Dom Um Romão, Luiz Ramalho} (5:28)
B2. Cisco Two {Célia Vaz} (4:10)
B3. Tumbalelê {Francisco Neto, Jarbas Reis, Milton Neves} (3:21)
B4. Piparapara {Claudio Roditi} (3:53)
B5. Chovendo Na Roseira {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (3:16) 

Total Time: 40:55

Credits:
Producer - Dom Um Romão
Engineer - Bob Simpson
Remastering - Kirk Felton
Cover, Design, Layout - Norman Granz
Photography - Monica Botkay
Liner Notes - Christine Jacobsen

Harold Ousley - Sweet Double Hipness (1980) [vinyl>flac]

Released in 1980, Sweet Double Hipness is a compilation of two of Ousley’s previous recordings from the early 1970s. The music is as good as the cover beginning with the bass get down on Uncle Funky. Come Get It, I Got It is just as funky with its drum heavy intro and organ playing. It’s a definite head nodder. Also, worth a listen is the title track with its female vocals singing the harmony to Ousley’s sax line mixed with some traditional Bop interludes, and some background percussion. Prodigal Son isn’t a bad Soul-Jazz piece either.”  ~ Soul Strut.

Muse Records, MR 5141, 1980

Recorded 28^th March, 1972 At Sound Ideas, New York City

Musicians:

Harold Ousley - Tenor Saxophone

Norman Simmons - Piano (#A1,B1,B3)

Neal Creque - Piano (#A2,A3,B2)

Bob Rose Guitar (#A2,A3,B2)

Victor Sproles - Bass (#A1,B1,B3)

Jay Leonhart - Bass (#A2,A3,B2)

Steve Butler - Drums (#A1,B1,B3)

Jim Young - Drums (#A2,A3,B2)

Ralph Dorsey - Congas (#A1,B1,B3)

Steve Kroon - Percussion (#A1,B1,B3)

Danny Barrajanos - Percussion (#A2,A3,B2)

Holly Hamilton, Edna Holt - Vocals (#A1,B1,B3)

Tracks:

A1. Uncle Funky {Harold Ousley} (7:08)

A2. The Prodical Son {Harold Ousley} (5:51)

A3. One For The Masses {Harold Ousley} (8:16)

B1. Sweet Double Hipness {Harold Ousley} (5:38)

B2. Come Get It, I Got It {Harold Ousley} (5:12)

B3. Feel Like Makin' Love {Gene McDaniels} (7:20)

Credits:

Producer - Harold Ousley, Frederick Seibert, Bob Rose

Engineer - George Klabin

Cover Photo - Hugh Bell

Cover Design - Ron Warwell

Liner Notes - Arnold Jay Smith

This is a compilation of his albums as a leader: bubbly, energetic and romantic, with a pleasant mixture of funk, soul, blues and bop.

Harold Ousley - The People's Groove (1977) [vinyl>flac]

Communication, a much-abused word in the world of music has special relevance in the case of saxophonist Harold Ousley. His basic goal is "to develop the ability to give people a complete musical experience that inspires, consoles and nourishes." In pursuit of that goal, Harold's activities have fanned out to include several separate yet interrelated directions. Harold's big vibrant sound and rhythmic finesse immediately evoke waves of tapping toes, popping fingers and undulating bodies. He makes everyone feel good. This album will help bring Harold Ousley's music to a wider audience. That is good because Ousley's musical humanism does indeed have the capacity to inspire console and heal. ~ Extract from Liner Notes by Chuck Berg (Downbeat).

Muse Records, MR 5107, 1977

Recorded Live and in Studio throughout 1972 approximate dates not listed.

Musicians:

Harold Ousley - Tenor Sax (#A1-B1,B3), Alto Sax (#B1,B2)

Gary Chandler - Trumpet (#A1)

Bobby Forrester - Organ (#A2,B2)

Neal Creque - Piano (#A3,B3)

Norman Simmons - Piano (#A4,B1)

Bob Rose - Guitar (#A3,B3)

Nate Stokes - Guitar (#A1-A2)

Ray McKinny - Bass (#A1)

Jay Leonhart - Bass (#A3,B3)

Victor Sproles - Bass (#A4,B1)

Al Dreares - Drums (#A1)

Steve Butler - Drums (#A2,A4,B1-B2)

Jim Young - Drums (#A3,B3)

Ralph Dorsey - Congas (#A2,A4,B1)

Danny Barrajanos - Percussion (#A3,B3)

Steve Kroon - Percussion (#A2,A4,B1)

Edna Holt - Vocals (#A2,A4,B1)

Holly Hamilton - Vocals (#A4,B1)

Tracks:

A1. The People's Groove {Harold Ousley} (3:19)

A2. Little Virgo {Harold Ousley} (6:40)

A3. Me & Bobby McGhee {Kris Kristofferson} (7:45)

A4. Positivity {Harold Ousley} (7:48)

B1. El Exi-Hente {Harold Ousley} (4:38)

B2. Why Did I Choose You? {Harold Ousley} (10:30)

B3. The Kid {Harold Ousley} (5:47)

Credits:

Producer - Fred Seibert, Harold Ousley

Photography [Cover], Album Design - Ron Warwell

Liner Notes - Chuck Berg (Downbeat)

In 1977, the Chicago-born saxophonist Harold Ousley put out the album "The People's Groove". In essence it is a Soul Jazz/Jazz Funk masterpiece. Some of tunes are taken from a live context and as a result are full of energy. With "Little Virgo" the listener is treated to a great piece of jazz funk. Another definite highlight is the Samba-Fused recording "El Exi-Hente" with its thrilling high-speed electric piano intertwined with nicely delivered scat vocals. The rest of the compositions are of equal merit, in fact there are no disappointments. Ousley as a producer has chosen some of the great jazz luminaries of the time together with an impressive rhythm section of players noted within the black music movement. Overall, the album is very entertaining whereby Ousley gets to showcase his skills on both tenor and alto.