Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Black Feeling! (1970)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith, a hardcore organist who turned Hammond into his middle name. In many ways this LP could be considered his most groove-filled album released on the prestige label, invariably a jazz funk masterpiece. Virgil Jones's trumpet playing along with saxophonists Rusty Bryant and Leo Johnson bring additional power to this album, especially when compared to its predecessor “Soul Talk”. So too are crisp, tight rhythms of Bernard "Pretty" Purdie’s drumming. Equally guitarist Wally Richardson’s beautifully crafted strumming and Jimmy Lewis' thick bass lines don't disappoint, but of course the star man is Johnny himself swirling away on the Hammond, just listen to his cool organ solos scattered throughout the album. Not to be overlooked, enjoy!

Prestige Records, PRST 7736, 1970

Recorded 22^nd December, 1969 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

=======================================================

Musicians:

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

Virgil Jones - Trumpet

Rusty Bryant - Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

Leo Johnson - Tenor Saxophone

Wally Richardson - Guitar

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass

Bernard “Pretty” Purdie - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Black Feeling {Leo Johnson} (6:32)

A2. Kindra {Leo Johnson} (5:42)

A3. Johnny Hammond Boogaloo {Wally Richardson} (5:01)

B1. Dig On It {Leo Johnson} (7:57)

B2. When Sunny Gets Blue {Marvin Fisher, Jack Segal} (4:27)

B3. Soul Talk-1970 {Johnny "Hammond" Smith} (6:23)

Total Time: 35:02

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design, Photo - Don Schlitten

Liner Notes - Bill Buchanan (Boston Globe, Feb. 1970)

Willis Jackson - Soul Grabber (1967) [vinyl>flac]

One of our favorite albums ever by Willis Jackson - and in fact one of our favorite soul jazz sides of the 60s! There's a mad groove here that's quite different than any of Jackson's earlier work - freer, looser, and more experimental - handled with a sound that's almost fuller in the arrangements, but which also gives the soloists more room to groove around. Willis himself plays the amazing ‘Gator’ horn on "Alfie" - a long funny-looking variation on the tenor, and a horn that has an almost George Braith or Roland Kirk-like sound. The rest of the group features some great guitar by Wally Richardson and smoking organ by Carl Wilson - plus electric bass at the bottom from Bob Bushnell, a key component to the harder-hitting quality of the grooves. The set features a fantastic version of Baden Powell's "Song of Ossanha", plus great covers of "Sunny", "Girl Talk", and "Ode to Billy Joe" - and the tracks "Soul Grabber", "Alfie", "I Dig Rock & Roll Music", and "Rhode Island Red". © Dusty Groove America, Inc.

Prestige Records, PRST 7551, 1968

Recorded 20^th October, 1967 (#A1,A4,B4,B5) in New York City;

25^th October, 1967 (#A2,A3,A5-B3) at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Willis “Gator” Jackson - Tenor Sax, Gator Horn (#B3)

Wilbur “Dud” Bascomb - Trumpet

Sammy Lowe - Trumpet

Heywood Henry - Baritone Saxophone (#A1,A4,B4,B5)

Carl Wilson - Organ

Lloyd Davis - Guitar

Wally Richardson - Guitar

Bob Bushnell - Electric Bass

Lawrence Wrice - Drums

Tracks:

A1. The Song Of Ossanha {Baden Powell, Vinícius de Moraes} (2:39)

A2. Sunny {Bobby Hebb} (6:35)

A3. Girl Talk {Neal Hefti, Bobby Troup} (5:26)

A4. Ode To Billie Joe {Bobbie Gentry} (2:55)

A5. Sometimes I'm Happy {Vincent Youmans, Irving Caesar, Clifford Grey} (5:13)

B1. Soul Grabber {Willis "Gator" Jackson} (1:58)

B2. Rhode Island Red {Willis "Gator" Jackson} (3:33)

B3. Alfie {Hal David, Burt Bacharach} (8:22)

B4. I Dig Rock & Roll Music {Noel Paul Stookey, James Mason, Dave Dixon} (2:49)

B5. These Blues Are Made For Walking {Willis "Gator" Jackson} (5:49)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design, Liner Photo - Don Schlitten

Art - Irving Riggs

Liner Notes - Chris Albertson (Feb. 1968)

Note: “The Song Of Ossanha” also listed as “The Song Of Ossahna”

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)

Shirley Scott - Mystical Lady (1971) [vinyl]

An overlooked early 70's LP by the 'Queen Of The Organ'. The first of three albums she would cut for Cadet Records. At the age of 37 Shirley seeing the threat of the rock world started to turn her hand to a funkier soul jazz vibe. Her mastery on the organ is increasingly evident on this LP. She surrounds herself with a proven core of fine players, all of whom embrace and express the soul jazz style to the full on their own releases. For this album Shirley presents a number of covers of popular songs leaving space for only one her own co-written tunes. Overall the sound is dynamic and truly reflects how jazz musicians were trying to move with the times. This is a great sounding rip [DR 14] taken from an original LP, which is yet to surface as a CD. Enjoy!

Cadet Records, CA 50009, 1971

Recorded 1971 At Sound Exchange, New York, New York

Musicians:

Shirley Scott - Organ, Vocals (#A2)

George Patterson - Alto Saxophone (#B1)

Danny Turner - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Pee Wee Ellis - Tenor Saxophone (#A3,B3)

Wally Richardson - Guitar (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

George Freeman - Guitar (#A3,B3)

Ron Carter - Bass (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Richard Davis - Bass (#A3,B3)

Bobby Durham - Drums (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Freddie Watts - Drums (#A3,B3)

Tracks:

A1. Mystical Lady {Esmond Edwards} (7:54)

A2. Your Song {Elton John, Bernie Taupin} (5:52)

A3. Hall Of Jazz {Shirley Scott, Gregg Hall} (6:17)

B1. Proud Mary {John C. Fogerty} (6:39)

B2. Love Dreams {George Patterson} (5:00)

B3. Let It Be {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (7:14)

Credits:

Producer - Esmond Edwards

Recording Engineer - Steve Katz

Arranger - George Patterson (#A3)

Album Design - Maurer Productions

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - For Lovers (1959-69) [vinyl]

A marvellous compilation of great soul jazz standards played by the talented organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith taken from some of his classic New Jazz and Prestige sides spanning 1959 through to 1969. He is joined by an amazing and diverse cast of players: Thornel Schwartz, Freddie McCoy, Houston Person, Eddie McFadden, Rusty Bryant, Wally Richardson, Earl Edwards, Ray Barretto, George Tucker, Leo Stevens, Wendell Marshall, to name a few, Enjoy!

Prestige Records, PRST 7777, 1970

Tracklisting:

A1. Bye Bye Blackbird {Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson} (4:30)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

Thornel Schwartz - Guitar

George Tucker - Bass

Leo Stevens - Drums

Recorded 4^th November, 1959 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - That Good Feelin'

New Jazz [NJLP 8229]

A2. Because You Left Me {Johnny "Hammond" Smith} (5:27)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

Freddie McCoy - Vibraphone

Eddie McFadden - Guitar

Wendell Marshall - Bass

Leo Stevens - Drums

Recorded 12^th May, 1961 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Stimulation

Prestige Records [PRLP 7203]

A3. On A Clear Day {Alan Jay Lerner, Burton Lane} (4:20)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

Otis Sutton - Alto Saxophone

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Eddie McFadden - Guitar

Leo Stevens - Drums

Recorded 4^th January, 1966 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Byrdie Green - Stringer Meets The Golden Thrush

Prestige Records [PR 7464]

A4. A Portrait Of Jenny {Russell Robinson, Gordon Burdge} (2:21)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

George Tucker - Bass

Art Taylor - Drums

Ray Barretto - Congas

Recorded 22^nd April, 1960 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Talk That Talk

New Jazz [NJLP 8241]

B1. Sad Eyes {Johnny "Hammond" Smith} (4:50)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

Freddie McCoy - Vibraphone

Eddie McFadden - Guitar

Wendell Marshall - Bass

Leo Stevens - Drums

Recorded 12^th May, 1961 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Opus De Funk

Prestige Records [PR 7420]

B2. All Soul {Curtis Lewis} (4:17)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

Rusty Bryant - Tenor, Alto Saxophone, Varitone

Wally Richardson - Guitar

Bob Bushnell - Electric Bass

Bernard Purdie - Drums

Recorded 19^th May, 1969 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Soul Talk

Prestige Records [PR 7681]

B3. There Is No Greater Love {Isham Jones, Marty Symes} (5:30)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

Earl Edwards - Tenor Saxophone

Floyd Smith - Guitar

John Harris - Drums

Recorded 7^th May, 1965 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - The Stinger

Prestige Records [PR 7408]

B4. An Affair To Remember {Harry Warren, Leo McCarey, Harold Adamson} (2:33)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

George Tucker - Bass

Art Taylor - Drums

Ray Barretto - Congas

Recorded 22^nd April, 1960 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Talk That Talk

New Jazz [NJLP 8241]

Buddy Terry - Natural Soul (1967) [re-rip]

I have a lot to be thankful for. I am blessed as a leader, saxophonist, flutist, composer/arranger and soloist. I am well represented as a composer/arranger; whereas out of the six tunes included in this album, five were written and arranged by me. Notice the variety of the tunes. I have a blues, a ballad, a church-type song in six-four time, a calypso and jazz rooted boogaloo tune. All are different, but on the other hand they do have an affinity--they all are soulful. They have a Natural Soul which is brought about, in part, by the honesty and integrity of the musicians involved. To all the people who buy this album and read these notes I would like to say "GOD BLESS YOU". ~ Extract from Liner Notes by Buddy Terry

Prestige Records, PRST 7541, 1968

Recorded 15^th November, 1967 at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Personnel:

Buddy Terry - Tenor Saxophone, Flute

Woody Shaw - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (#A2,A4,B1)

Joe Thomas - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (A1,A3)

Robbie Porter - Baritone Saxophone (#A2)

Larry Young - Organ, Piano (#A1,A3)

Jiggs Chase - Organ (#A1)

Wally Richardson - Guitar (#A1,A2)

Jimmy Lewis - Bass [Fender] (#A1,A3,B2)

Eddie Gladden - Drums

Tracks:

A1. A Natural Woman {Goffin And King, Jerry Wexler} (3:19)

A2. Natural Soul [Sunday Go To Meetin' Blues] {Buddy Terry} (5:41)

A3. Pedro The One Arm Bandit {Buddy Terry} (6:31)

A4. Don't Be So Mean {Buddy Terry} (5:47)

B1. The Revealing Time {Buddy Terry} (12:12)

B2. Quiet Days And Lonely Nights {Buddy Terry} (7:15)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Design, Photo - Don Schlitten

Liner Notes - Buddy Terry (Jan. 1968)

Freddie McCoy - Listen Here (1968) [re-rip]

One of the hardest to find albums by this lost 60s soul jazz vibist - and all of his albums are pretty darn hard to find! The album's also perhaps his best - as Freddie takes a little more straight funky jazz approach, and loses some of the pop feel of his other albums. There's 2 different groups on here - one a bit large, and with Wally Richardson, Bernard Purdie, and Dud Bascomb; the other a groovy quintet with Joanne Brackeen on electric piano and Gene Walker on Varitone. The album includes a great cover of "Listen Here", plus "Stone Wall" and "Short Circuit". ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

Prestige Records, PRST 7582, 1968

Recorded 10^th June, 1968 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Freddie McCoy - Vibraphone

Wilbur Buscomb, Edward Williams - Trumpet (#A1,B2)

Quentin Jackson, Melba Liston - Trombone (#A1,B2)

Gene Walker - Varitone (#A1,B2)

JoAnne Brackeen - Electric Piano (#A2-A3,B1,B3), Organ (#A1,B2)

Wally Richardson - Guitar (#A1,B2)

Raymond McKinney - Bass (#A2-B1,B3)

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass (#A1,B2)

Bernard Purdie - Drums (#A1,B2)

Al Dreares - Drums (#A2-B1,B3)

Montego Joe - Congas (#A1,B2)

Tracks:

A1. Don't Tell Me That {Freddie McCoy} (4:51)

A2. Short Circuit {Freddie McCoy} (6:44)

A3. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (5:25)

B1. Listen Here {Eddie Harris} (7:24)

B2. MacArthur Park {Jimmy Webb} (7:45)

B3. Stone Wall {Milt Jackson} (3:17)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger, Conductor - Dave Blum

Cover Design - Don Schlitten

Cover Art - Jo Schwalbach

Sleeve Notes - Fred Norsworthy

Wally Richardson - Soul Guru (1968) [vinyl>flac]

Wally Richardson came out of a rhythm and blues, soul jazz and pop experience. Because of this background and music reading ability, he was very active as an all-around studio guitarist in the late 50's/60's/70's. He recorded a good cult album of psychedelic jazz funk which is now a collector’s item. "Soul Guru" came out in 1969 on Prestige Records in New Jersey.

Guitar driven soul jazz album with a great variety of influences, soul, jazz, east, blues, rock, from sitar-like sounds on Soul Guru to twangy style Surf Side Shuffle, acoustic songs and jazz driven themes. ~ mekkipuur, RateYourMusic.

Prestige Records, PRST 7569, 1968

BGP Records, BGPD 1113, 1988

Recorded 5^th (#A1,A3,B1-B3) & 7^th (#A2,A4,B4) February, 1968

At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Wally Richardson - Guitar

Zane Zacharoff - Bass Clarinet (#A1,A3,B1-B3)

Ernest Hayes - Piano (#A2,A4,B4)

Everett Barksdale - 12-String Guitar (#A1,A3,B1-B3)

Richard Davis - Bass (#A1,A3,B1-B3)

Jimmy Lewis - Bass (#A2,A4,B4)

Orville Mason - Fender Bass (#A1,A3,B1-B3)

Bobby Donaldson - Drums

Montego Joe - Percussion (#A1,A3,B1-B3)

Tracks:

A1. Senor Boogaloo {Wally Richardson} (4:11)

A2. Elbow Blues {Wally Richardson} (5:25)

A3. Monday Monday {John Phillips} (3:08)

A4. Surf Side Shuffle {Wally Richardson} (5:43)

B1. Soul Guru {Wally Richardson} (6:02)

B2. Lonely Rider {David Raksin} (2:44)

B3. Khyber Pass Boogaloo {Wally Richardson} (3:50)

B4. Square Heels, White Stockings {Wally Richardson} (4:53)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design, Photography - Don Schlitten

Liner Notes - Chris Albertson (April, 1968)

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Soul Flowers (1967) [re-rip]

As one of the Soul-jazz pioneers, Johnny “Hammond” Smith soon discovered success resided in the immediacy and the joy the music was able to convey. As the style kept on winning adepts in a crossover movement which embraced both Music styles and races, the organist became a master in pulling the right strings so that his sound could reach audiences as vast as possible.

Recorded September 1967 at the height of Flower Power, “Soul Flower”, although hardly related to Psychedelia or Acid-heads favorite sonorities, unashamedly aimed commercial recognition. Although I would never call it smooth or lounge-Jazz, I have to admit at times it makes a perfect dinner soundtrack or background sound for a living-room gathering of friends while relaxedly sipping a beer or a scotch; Yet it shoots in so many directions and displays such competent musicianship that one is often forced to raise the volume level and pay attention to what’s going on; ‘cause that’s the only way you’ll correctly listen to the blistering organ solo/work on the TV-series theme “Theme from N.Y.P.D.”; more screen related material is available on the melancholic mood of Burt Bacharach’s score for the movie “Alfie” or on the lively, hip-shaking rendition of the popular “Tara’s Theme” from ‘Gone with the Wind’ soundtrack; and on “Ode to Billie Joe”, Smith spells with fervor the conga-rhythm-propelled, horse-riding, Far-west evoking theme.

Previously issued with considerable success in 45rpm/Single format “Dirty Apple” is here offered in an extended version and it’s Bluesy and Funky charm, Soulful organ and smoking sax and guitar work are some of the album’s strong arguments; Still, it’s the diversity shared by the up-tempo version of the classic “Days of Wine and Roses” or the happy, old-time Big-Band swing feel of the Rodgers/Hammerstein “You’ll Never Walk Alone” where Smith displays his hard-won credentials in the style and most of all the Bossa inflected “Here’s That Rainy Day”, where guitarist Wally Richardson shows he can give cards in many a style or the cover of Ray Charles’s “I Got a Woman” with the organ at full throttle and Houston Person’s intense tenor work that definitely make this a record with mood-uplifting characteristics. ~ comusduke.

Prestige Records, PR 7549, 1968

Recorded 27^th September, 1967 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Johnny "Hammond" Smith - Organ

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Earl Edwards - Tenor Saxophone

Wally Richardson - Guitar

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass

John Harris - Drums

Richie "Pablo" Landrum - Congas

Tracks:

A1. N.Y.P.D. {Charles Gross} (3:23)

A2. Dirty Apple {Smith, Richardson} (5:01)

A3. Days Of Wine And Roses {Henry Mancini} (3:21)

A4. Ode To Billie Joe {Bobby Gentry} (3:17)

B1. You'll Never Walk Alone {Rodgers, Hammerstein} (3:12)

B2. Alfie {David, Bacharach} (3:06)

B3. Tara's Theme [My Own True Love] {Max Steiner} (2:57)

B4. Here Comes That Rainy Day {Burke, van Heusen} (3:26)

B5. I Got A Woman {Ray Charles} (5:27)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Christopher Peters (Jan. 1968)

Archie Shepp - For Losers (1968+1969) [vinyl]

One of the grooviest albums from Archie Shepp's post-new thing years for Impulse - a nicely grooving session that mixes soul-based tracks with more righteous spiritual jazz moments! The approach here is a nicely varied - a laidback, collaborative spirit that's even quite different from Shepp's work in France at the time, or even from some of his other sessions for Impulse. At one moment, Archie's playing in a gently spare and soulful mode - foreshadowing his late 70s sides - but at another, he'll be opening up with intensity, egged on by a group of well-matched players who include Woody Shaw, Grachan Moncur III, James Spaulding, and Cedar Walton. Side 2 features the extended "Un Croque Monsieur" - a modally building number with some free post-Coltrane energy, and a righteous poem from Chinalin Sharpe. Sharpe returns in a completely different spirit on "I Got It Bad" - singing the lyrics in a Billie Holiday mode alongside Shepp's solo - and Leon Thomas sings on the soul-based number "Stick Em Up", again very different than usual! Titles also include a great version of Cal Massey's "What Would It Be Without You" and the funky groover "Abstract". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Impulse! Records, AS-9188, 1970

Recorded 9^th September, 1968 (#A1) at RCA Studios, New York City

Recorded 17^th February, 1969 (#A2) at RCA Studios, New York City

Recorded 26^th August, 1969 (#A3,A4,B) at RCA Studios, New York City

Personnel:

A1. Stick 'Em Up {Archie Shepp} (2:05)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone

Robin Kenyatta - Alto Saxophone

Grachan Moncur III - Trombone

Martin Banks - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Andrew Bey - Piano

Mel Brown - Organ, Guitar

Bert Payne - Guitar

Albert Winston - Fender Bass

Wilton Felder - Fender Bass

Beaver Harris - Drums

Doris Troy - Vocals

Leon Thomas - Vocals

Tasha Thomas - Vocals

A2. Abstract {Archie Shepp} (4:21)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone

James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone

Charles Davis - Baritone Saxophone

Grachan Moncur III - Trombone

Jimmy Owens - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Wally Richardson - Guitar

Dave Burrell - Organ

Bob Bushnell - Fender Bass

Bernard Purdie - Drums

A3. I Got It Bad [And That Ain't Good] {Duke Ellington, Paul Webster} (5:15)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone

Clarence Sharpe - Alto Saxophone

Cedar Walton - Piano

Wilbur Sharpe - Bass

Joe Chambers - Drums

Chinalin Sharpe - Vocals

A4. What Would It Be Without You {Cal Massey} (4:05)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone

Cecil Payne - Baritone Saxophone, Flute

Cedar Walton - Piano

Wilbur Sharpe - Bass

Joe Chambers - Drums

B. Un Croque Monsieur [Poem: For Losers] {Archie Shepp} (21:47)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone

Cecil Payne - Baritone Saxophone

Clarence Sharpe - Alto Saxophone

Woody Shaw - Trumpet

Matthew Gee - Trombone

Cedar Walton - Piano

Wilbur Sharpe - Bass

Joe Chambers - Drums

Chinalin Sharpe - Vocals

Credits:

Producer - Ed Michel

Supervision - Bob Thiele (#A1,A2), Ed Michel (#A4,A4,B)

Artwork Design - George Whiteman

Photography - Chuck Stewart

Liner Notes - Archie Shepp

Tracklist:

A1. Stick 'Em Up {Archie Shepp} (2:05)

A2. Abstract {Archie Shepp} (4:21)

A3. I Got It Bad [And That Ain't Good] {Duke Ellington, Paul Webster} (5:15)

A4. What Would It Be Without You {Cal Massey} (4:06)

B. Un Croque Monsieur [Poem: For Losers] {Archie Shepp} (21:47)

At the time this record was recorded, Shepp was bouncing back and forth between Paris and New York. He also bounced between the Impulse! and BYG labels. He also bounced between styles. For BYG, his music reached to grasp the bare beginnings of black music, back to Africa and the blues. His music for Impulse! tried to embrace the contemporary sounds of R&B, with very mixed results that to this day divide his fans. This record is a transitional one. For the traditionalists, there's his shattering and amusing cover of "I've Got It Bad" performed by the usual suspects one would think to find on an Archie Shepp record, including Cecil Payne and Joe Chambers. For those enraptured by albums like Attica Blues, songs like "Stick 'Em Up" will fascinate, as Shepp's raspy tenor is joined not only by a legion of avant-garde brethren (including names like Beaver Harris and Grachan Moncur), but also by the funky wood of electric bass, guitar, and organ. Some will find those later tracks a bit hard to take. Some will even find themselves snickering. But for anyone wishing to understand the music and career of this brilliant musician, this is an undervalued piece of the puzzle. ~ Rob Ferrier, AMG.