Tom Browne - Browne Sugar (1979)

Despite the trumpet's prominent historic role in Jazz music, the instrument didn't showcase many of its practitioners in the contemporary jazz genre after the mid-Seventies. Queens, New York native Tom Browne, however, changed that notion. Browne's blistering solos and flair for melodicism and lyricism were on full display on Browne Sugar, his 1979 debut. From the album's opener, "Throw Down," composed by Browne, a bold, up tempo number that highlighted the trumpeter's facility to play smooth, fluid lines, to the closer "Antoinette Like," a contemplative ballad, penned by keyboard wunderkind Bernard Wright, Browne demonstrated that he is a focused, original artist, destined to be on the scene for the long run. The long run began its race for Browne on this record with the aid of Wright; the incomparable pianist/composer/producer Dave Grusin (who co-produced); first-rate-bassists Francisco Centeno and the illustrious Marcus Miller (the latter of whom wrote the alternately mellow and funky "Herbal Scent"); acclaimed saxophonist Michael Brecker, versatile vocalist Patti Austin, and underrated drummer Buddy Williams, just to name a few stellar names on the eight-tunes project. Because of its mix of ballads and mid-tempo funk, "Browne Sugar" was definitely a record that established the trumpet ace's (also a flugelhornist) own musical identity. It placed Browne front and center as a leader and not as a bystander on his own record. Speaking of his own musical identity, Browne's composition, "Promises for Spring," is another tune that possessed that gentle, late-night aura that would be heard on Quiet Storm radio. It's just the kind of record that would become the template for contemporary jazz--radio-friendly, breezy tunes laced with R&B overtones with jazz inflections. The album had great flow without any selections that would prompt listeners to skip to the next track. Even in the present musical soundscape, there are few trumpet-led projects that embrace the distinctive sound of Browne's. It's a classy, stylish debut that sounds just as rich and melodic in 2020 as it did in 1979. Cheers to Tom Browne and to the musicians who have made Browne Sugar a sonic gem! ~ Liz Goodwin, SmoothVibes.com. 

GRP Records, GRP 5003, 1979
GRP Records, GRP-D-9517, 1991
Recorded and Mixed 1979 At A&R Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Tom Browne - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Michael Brecker - Tenor Saxophone
Phil Bodner - Horn
Eddie Daniels - Horn
Walter Kane - Horn
David Tofani - Horn
Dave Grusin - Piano [Electric], Clavinet, Moog Synthesizer, Oberheim Synthesizers, Organ, Percussion, Synthesizer
Rob Mounsey - Oberheim Synthesizer, Organ, Synthesizer
Bernard Wright - Piano, Piano [Electric]
Ron Miller   - Guitar [Electric]
Marcus Miller - Bass [Electric]
Francisco Centeno - Bass [Electric]
Buddy Williams - Drums
Sue Evans - Congas, Percussion
Errol Crusher Bennett - Congas, Percussion
Patti Austin - Vocals
Vivian Cherry - Vocals
Frank Floyd - Vocals
Zachary Sanders - Vocals
+ Strings Ensemble 

Tracks:
1. Throw Down {Tom Browne} (3:58)
2. I Never Was A Cowboy {Don Grusin} (4:24)
3. Herbal Scent {Tom Browne} (5:25)
4. Brother, Brother {Denzil Miller} (5:32)
5. The Closer I Get To You {Reggie Lucas, James Mtume} (4:38)
6. What's Going On {Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye} (5:09)
7. Promises For Spring {Tom Browne} (4:50)
8. Antoinette Like {Bernard Wright} (3:38) 

Total Time: 37:34 

Credits:
Producer, Conductor, Arranger, Liner Notes - Dave Grusin
Producer, Engineer, Liner Notes - Larry Rosen
GRP Production Coordinator - Peter Lopez
Recording Engineer - Jim Boyer
Recording Assistant - Peter Lewis
Recording & Mixing Assistant - Bradshaw Leigh
Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen [Sterling Sound, NYC]
Digital Remastering - Josiah Gluck [The Review Room, NYC]
Editing & Formatting - N.Y. Digital Recording
GRP Creative Director, Art Design - Andy Baltimore
Art Direction - Dan Serrano
Photography - Mario Astorga

Steve Kuhn - Raindrops [Live In New York] (1972) [vinyl>flac]

This album captures a live performance of another underrated pianist. Steve Kuhn is joined by a dynamic rhythm section. Bruce Ditmas in particular adds a definite and stunning beat to some of Kuhn's own intrinsic compositions. The sounds emanating from the electric piano are very compelling listening. As with bands of this same period there is a tendency for the players to drift into freer deliveries touching on fusion. Kuhn's use of the electric piano is quite unique. He has tended to stick to acoustic in recent years. Listening to "Ida Lupino" there are similarities to the sounds Paul Bley was exchanging through his various groups over that same period. In this regard take the opportunity to be encapsulated by a great period quartet.

Cobblestone Records, CST 9020, 1972

Muse Records, MR 5106, 1976

Recorded in 1972 at Folk City, New York

Musicians:

Steve Kuhn - Acoustic & Electric Pianos, Vocals

George Mraz - Bass

Bruce Ditmas - Drums

Sue Evans - Percussion

Tracks:

A1. Gloria's Theme {Bronislaw Kaper} (5:11)

A2. The Child Is Gone {Steve Kuhn} (3:03)

A3. The Real Guitarist [In The House] {Steve Kuhn} (6:31)

A4. The Saga Of Harrison Crabfeathers {Steve Kuhn} (5:20)

B1. Chicken Feathers {Steve Kuhn} (6:43)

B2. Ida Lupino {Carla Bley} (4:12)

B3. Raindrops, Raindrops {Steve Kuhn} (4:30)

B4. Thoughts Of A Gentleman {Steve Kuhn} (3:09)

Credits:

Producer - Helen Keane

Art Direction, Design, Photography - Hal Wilson

Notes:

Applause edited from original rip retained only in introduction.

Also released on Happy Bird B/90082, Germany, 1976

and Jazz & Blues History, Vol. 60 - Tobacco Road B/2560

Mark Murphy - Sings (1975) [vinyl>flac]

This album highlights one of singer Mark Murphy's best all-round sessions. Most memorable are his renditions of Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay" (here renamed "On The Red Clay"), "Body And Soul" and "Canteloupe Island." Joined by a fine rhythm section led by keyboardist Don Grolnick along with occasional contributions from altoist David Sanborn, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker and trumpeter Randy Brecker, Murphy is heard throughout in prime form, constantly stretching himself. ~ Extract by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5078, 1975

Recorded 17^th-18^th June, 1975 At Basement Recording Studio, New York, NY

Musicians:

Mark Murphy - Vocals

Randy Brecker - Trumpet

Dave Sanborn - Alto Saxophone

Mike Brecker - Tenor Saxophone

Don Grolnick - Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Organ, Piano

Joe Puma - Guitar

Harvie Swartz - Bass

Jimmy Madison - Drums

Sue Evans - Percussion

Tracks:

A1. On The Red Clay {Freddie Hubbard, Mark Murphy} (4:37)

A2. Naima {John Coltrane} (4:550)

A3. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (5:17)

A4. Young And Foolish {Albert Hague, Arnold B. Horwitt} (2:52)

B1. Empty Faces {Lani Hall, Milton Nascimento} (5:16)

B2. Maiden Voyage {Herbie Hancock, Jean Hancock} (5:23)

B3. How Are You Dreaming {Bob Crewe, Alan Shatkin} (4:32)

B4. Canteloupe Island {Herbie Hancock, Mark Murphy} (5:33)

Credits:

Producer - Helen Keane

Arranger, Co-Producer - Dave Matthews

Recording & Remixing Engineer - Wieslaw Woszczyk

Art Direction, Cover Illustration - Hal Wilson

Liner Notes - Michael Bourne

Urbie Green - The Fox (1976) [vinyl>flac]

Smooth and silky jazz funk from trombonist Urbie Green - a record that's much more in a mainstream R&B fusion mode than his earlier work - yet also arranged by David Matthews in a soulful style that still keeps things pretty real on the best cuts! The group's a good one for the mellow groove of the material - and includes Mike Mainieri on keyboards, Eric Gale on guitar, Jeremy Steig on flute, and Toots Thielemans laying down a bit of harmonica - all kicking back in classic 70s CTI styles. Titles include the nice modal groover "Mertensia", plus "Manteca", "Foxglove Suite", "Another Star", and "Goodbye". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

CTI Records, CTI 7070, 1977

Recorded July, Oct. & Nov., 1976 at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Urbie Green - Trombone

Fred Gripper - Piano (#A3,B2-B3)

Mike Abene - Piano (#A2)

Mike Mainieri - Vibraphone (#A2,A4,B2)

Barry Miles - Synthesizer (#A1,B1)

Jeremy Steig - Flute (#A1,B1)

Joe Farrell - Soprano Saxophone (#A3)

Eric Gale - Guitar (#A3,B2-B3)

Toots Thielemans - Harmonica (#A2,A4,B3), Whistle (#A2,A4)

George Mraz - Acoustic Bass (#A1,B1)

Anthony Jackson - Electric Bass (#A1,A3-A4,B2-B3)

Jimmy Madison - Drums (#A1,B1)

Andy Newmark - Drums (#A3,B2-B3)

Sue Evans - Percussion (#A1,B1)

Nicky Marrero - Percussion (#A2,A4)

David Matthews - Percussion [Footsteps] (#A4)

Track Listing:

A1. Another Star {Stevie Wonder} (7:14)

A2. Goodbye {Gordon Jenkins} (2:57)

A3. Mertensia {David Matthews} (4:57)

A4. You Don’t Know What Love Is {Don Raye, Gene De Paul} (3:52)

B1. Manteca {Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Fuller, Luciano Gonzales} (6:32)

B2. Foxglove Suite [From Tristan And Isolde] {Richard Wagner} (7:25)

B3. Please Send Me Someone To Love {Percy Mayfield} (5:32)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Arranger - David Matthews

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design [Album] - Rene Schumacher

Photography [Cover & Liner] - White Gate