Donald Byrd – Electric Byrd
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1970, Jazz Fusion
Donald Byrd’s transitional sessions from 1969-1971 are actually some of the trumpeter’s most intriguing work, balancing accessible, funky, Davis-style fusion with legitimate jazz improvisation. Electric Byrd, from 1970, is the best of the bunch, as Byrd absorbs the innovations of Bitches Brew and comes up with one of his most consistent fusion sets of any flavor. The arrangements are continually surprising, and the band never works the same groove too long, switching or completely dropping the underlying rhythms. So even if it wears its influences on its sleeve, Electric Byrd is indisputably challenging, high-quality fusion. It’s also the end of the line for jazz purists as far as Donald Byrd is concerned, which is perhaps part of the reason the album has yet to receive its proper due.
Personnel: Donald Byrd (trumpet); Wally Richardson (guitar); Lew Tabackin (flute, saxophone, tenor saxophone); Hermeto Pascoal (flute); Pepper Adams (clarinet, baritone saxophone, brass); Frank Foster (alto clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Bill Campbell (trombone); Duke Pearson (electric piano); Mickey Roker (drums); Airto Moreira (percussion).
Tracklist
01. Estavanico
02. Essence
03. Xibaba
04. The Dude
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Jack McDuff – Sophisticated Funk
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1977, Funk, Jazz Fusion
A lost electric groover from Brother Jack McDuff – sweet keyboards instead of his usual Hammond, but still plenty darn great! The record’s got a slinky groove that’s almost more CTI than Chess Records – with full arrangements by Billy Jones, who also plays guitar on the record – alongside plenty of great sax and flute from Joe Farrell. Sessions were done at the All Platinum Studios in New Jersey – no surprise, given that Chess was owned by that label by this point, and Jones himself was recording for them as part of the group Brother To Brother. The overall groove is somewhere between Bob James and Larry Mizell – although very much its own sort of bag as well – and titles include a great remake of “Theme From Electric Surfboard”, plus “Dit Da Dit”, “Ju Ju”, “To Be Named Later”, “Mini Pads”, “Summer Dream”, and “Mannix Theme”. Gotta love the cover, too!
Tracklist
01. Dit Do Dat
02. Ju Ju
03. To Be Named Later
03. Summer Dream
04. Jack’s Boogie
06. Mini Pads
07. Electric Surf Board
08. Mannix Theme
George Benson – Body Talk
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1973, Jazz Fusion
Benson stretches out extensively on this recording, cut in a couple of days in 1973. He also wrote four of the five tunes, though often his composing here consists of laying down enough of a riff to establish a groove and then letting a handful of horn hits complete the job. “Top of the World,” “Dance,” and the title cut follow this pattern; “Plum” makes more of melody statement, cooking in a smoky, mid-tempo vein before jumping into double time, with Benson getting busy over a two-chord vamp.
The six horns, arranged by James Brown vet Alfred (Pee Wee) Ellis, include musicians like Frank Foster and Jon Faddis, and succeed in sounding hot and funky rather than cheesy and contrived. While the liner notes emphasize the presence of Earl Klugh in Benson’s band at this time (Benson had recently met and hired the 19-year old), his presence on Body Talk is minimal; he can be heard playing recurring R&B figures in the background on “Dance,” and takes a 16-bar solo on “When Love Has Grown,” the album’s one cover, after harmonizing on the melody with his boss.
Personnel: George Benson (guitar); Earl Klugh (guitar); Frank Foster (tenor saxophone); John Gatchell, Waymon Reed, Jon Faddis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dick Griffin, Gerald Chamberlain (trombone); Harold Mabern (electric piano); Gary King (electric bass); Jack DeJohnette (drums); Mobutu (percussion).
Tracklist
01. Dance
02. When Love Has Grown
03. Plums
04. Body Talk
05. Top Of The World
06. Body Talk (Alternate Take)
Freddie Hubbard – Straight Life
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1970, Jazz Fusion
This is a remarkable and often overlooked album by one of the finest and most innovative trumpet players of the ’60s and ’70s. Steeped deeply in funk, Hubbard brings his bright tone and evocative, mercurial playing to the post-Bitches Brew soundscape of electrified instruments, Latin percussion, complex polyrhythms, and “free” blowing focused on texture and atmosphere. Straight Life charts waters different from Davis’ masterpiece, however. Whereas Bitches Brew is a dark, ominous journey into a jungle of rhythm clusters and tonal coloring, Hubbard’s work is sparer, cleaner, and characterized by catchy, almost pop-like themes.
Straight Life is much more than a mere groove-fest, though, as the top-notch players (including Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and a young George Benson on guitar) unfurl formidable chops and vibrant backing throughout. The first two tracks, Hubbard’s title track and Weldon Irvine’s “Mr. Clean,” are lengthy, soulful workouts whose propulsive qualities and buoyancy are contrasted by the third track, the artist’s delicate and gorgeous flugelhorn treatment of “Here’s That Rainy Day.” Taken together, the cuts on Straight Life are musically sophisticated, stirring, and eminently groovy, making this “soul-jazz” of the highest order.
Personnel: Freddie Hubbard (trumpet, flugelhorn); Joe Henderson (saxophone); Herbie Hancock (piano); George Benson (guitar); Ron Carter (bass); Jack DeJohnette (drums); Weldon Irvine (tambourine); Richie Landrum (percussion).
Tracklist
01. Straight Life
02. Mr. Clean
03. Here’s That Rainy Day
Weather Report Albums!
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2002, Discography, Jazz, Jazz Fusion
Weather Report was one of the earliest and most influential Jazz-Rock groups. Keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophone player Wayne Shorter formed the group in 1971. Both had spent in time in Miles Davis’ group – Shorter played with the legendary 1960s quintet (along with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams). Zawinul joined later, during the early days when Davis pioneered the fusion movement. Zawinul was one of the early masters of the synthesizer. Before joining Davis’ group, he played electric piano in the Cannonball Adderly quintet. The sound so impressed Davis, that he hired Zawinul and made future keyboard players play the instrument.
In addition to forming the group and composing many of their songs, they were the two constant members in the group, as many musicians passed through. One of the most famous to pass through was bassists Jaco Pastorius. Pastorius was a pioneer on the electric bass. He took it from a rhythm instrument into an important solo instrument by playing with speed and grace, often dazzling audiences with his virtuosity during unaccompanied solos . He created a slippery effect by using a fretless bass. He has influenced countless bass players to this day. He joined Weather Report in 1976 and left in 1982, forming his own group Word of Mouth. Aside from a tremendous ego, he was alcoholic and a heroine addict. He died tragically in 1987 after he instigated a fight at a bar and suffered head injuries.
Unlike many groups, Weather Report focused on a group sound, creating complex arrangements in addition to their improvised solos, which made it more difficult to distinguish between the soloist and accompanists, because they were virtuosos on their instruments, providing awe-inspiring solos, as well as accompaniment work.
The group originally included Miroslav Vitous, percussionist Airto Moreira and drummer Alphonze Mauzon. Their self-titled debut album, as well as their follow-up I sing the Body Electric, are jazz-rock classics. However, their greatest line-up was in the mid 70s when Pastorious and drummer Peter Erskine joined. This line-up put out the fine records Black Market, Mr. Gone, and Heavy Weather, which was their biggest selling album and included their most famous hit Birdland). After Erskine and Pastorious left, they were replaced by Omar Hakim and Victor Bailey, respectively. While they were fine musicians, they lacked the flamboyance and imagination as their predecessors, Their records afterward, were polished, yet detached and lacked the fire of the early works. Shorter and Zawinul disbanded the group in 1987. In 1996, rumors circulated that the Shorter and Zawinul would reunite the group, but it never happened.
While many fusion groups only lasted a few years, Weather Report lasted over fifteen.
1971 – Weather Report
Tracklist
01. Milky Way
02. Umbrellas
03. Seventh Arrow
04. Orange Lady
05. Morning Lake
06. Waterfall
07. Tears
08. Eurydice
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1972 – I Sing The Body Electric
Tracklist
01. Unknown Soldier
02. The Moors
03. Crystal
04. Second Sunday In August
05. Medley: Vertical Invader/T.H./Dr. Honoris Causa
06. Surucucú
07. Directions
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1972 – Live in Tokyo
Tracklist
01. Medley: Vertical Invader/Seventh Arrow/T.H./Doctor Honoris Causa
02. Medley: Surucucu/Lost/Early Minor/Directions
03. Orange Lady
04. Medley: Eurydice/The Moors
05. Medley: Tears/Umbrellas
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1973 – Sweetnighter
Tracklist
01. Boogie Woogie Waltz
02. Manolete
03. Adios
04. 125th Street Congress
05. Will
06. Non-Stop Home
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1974 – Mysterious Traveller
Tracklist
01. Nubian Sundance
02. American Tango
03. Cucumber Slumber
04. Mysterious Traveller
05. Blackthorn Rose
06. Scarlet Woman
07. Jungle Book
08. Miroslav’s Tune
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1975 – Tale Spinnin’
Tracklist
01. Man in the Green Shirt
02. Lusitanos
03. Between the Thighs
04. Badia
05. Freezing Fire
06. Five Short Stories
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1976 – Black Market
Tracklist
01. Black Market
02. Cannon Ball
03. Gibraltar
04. Elegant People
05. Three Clowns
06. Barbary Coast
07. Herandnu
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1977 – Heavy Weather
Tracklist
01. Birdland
02. A Remark You Made
03. Teen Town
04. Harlequin
05. Rumba Mamá
06. Palladium
07. The Juggler
08. Havona
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1978 – Mr. Gone
Tracklist
01. The Pursuit of the Woman with the Feathered Hat
02. River People
03. Young and Fine
04. The Elders
05. Mr. Gone
06. Punk Jazz
07. Pinocchio
08. And Then
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1979 – 8:30
Tracklist
01. Black Market
02. Scarlet Woman
03. Teen Town
04. A Remark You Made
05. Slang (Bass Solo)
06. In a Silent Way
07. Birdland
08. Thanks for the Memory (Tenor Sax Solo)
09. Medley: Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz
10. 8:30
11. Brown Street
12. The Orphan
13. Sightseeing
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1980 – Night Passage
Tracklist
01. Night Passage
02. Dream Clock
03. Port of Entry
04. Forlorn
05. Rockin’ in Rhythm
06. Fast City
07. Three Views of a Secret
08. Madagasar
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1982 – Weather Report
Tracklist
01. Volcano for Hire
02. Current Affairs
04. Dara Factor One
05. When It Was Now
06. Speechless
07. Dara Factor Two
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1983 – Procession
Tracklist
01. Procession
02. Plaza Real
03. Two Lines
04. Where The Moon Goes
05. The Well
06. Molasses Run
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1984 – Domino Theory
Tracklist
01. Can It Be Done
02. D Flat Waltz
03. The Peasant
04. Predator
05. Blue Sound – Note 3
06. Swamp Cabbage
07. Domino Theory
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1985 – Sportin’ Life
Tracklist
01. Corner Pocket
02. Indiscretions
03. Hot Cargo
04. Confians
05. Pearl On the Half Shell
06. What’s Going On
07. Face on the Barroom Floor
08. Ice-Pick Willy
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1986 – This Is This
Tracklist
01. This Is This
02. Face the Fire
03. I’ll Never Forget You
04. Jungle Stuff, Part I
05. Man With the Copper Fingers
06. Consequently
07. Update
08. China Blues
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2002 – Live and Unreleased
Tracklist
CD1
01. Freezing Fire
02. Plaza Real
03. Fast City
04. Portrait Of Tracy
05. Elegant People
06. Cucumber Slumber
07. Teen Town
08. Man In The Green Shirt
CD2
01. Black Market
02. Where The Moon Goes
03. River People
04. Two Lines
05. Cigano
06. In A Silent Way/Waterfall
07. Night Passage
08. Port Of Entry
09. Rumba Mama
10. Directions/Dr. Honoris Causa
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Gene Harris – Tone Tantrum
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1977, Funk, Jazz Fusion
Sweet sweet keyboards from the amazing Gene Harris – one of his seminal electric sides for Blue Note in the 70s – recorded between his earliest fame in the Three Sounds, and his later return to acoustic styles in the 80s! The sound here is equal parts jazz and soul – as Gene’s working with vocalist/arranger Jerry Peters, who brings in a good deal of his own groove to the tracks – giving them a strong focus that’s sometimes missing from other solo Harris sets. Both Peters and Harris play Fender Rhodes and other keyboards on the album – alongside a variety of players that include Donald Byrd on trumpet, Harvey Mason on drums, and Chuck Rainey on bass. Tracks include the Peters tunes “If You Can’t Find Love” and “A Minor”, a two-part remake of Duke Pearson’s “Christo Redentor”, the sweet stepper “Peace Of Mind”, and a strong vocal take on Stevie Wonder’s “As”.
Tracklist
01. As
02. If You Can’t Find Love Let Love Find You
03. A Minor
04. Stranger In Paradise
05. Peace Of Mind
06. Cristo Redentor – Part I
07. Cristo Redentor – Part II
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Azymuth – Outubro
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1980, Jazz Fusion
The Brazilian jazz-rock band, Azymuth, is noted for its infectious blend of bossa nova melodies, hot samba rhythms, a splash of funk, and a dash of rock and roll. On Black Sun’s reissue of Outubro, it proves to be a winning combination. This spirited ensemble tackles everything from the Flora Purim/Stanley Clarke classic, Light As A Feather (live version), to the electric energy of 500 Miles High, made famous by Chick Corea, to a host of spicy originals by Azymuth leader Jose Roberto Bertrami.
Throughout Outubro, the musicians travel a fine line between technical innovation and the acoustic fury of their Brazilian heritage. Each member of this multi-faceted trio plays a vast array of South American percussion instruments with passion and precision. Synthesizers, vocoders, guitars, and electric bass add fuel to the fire, making it virtually impossible to sit still while listening to the recording. This music is irresistible; it makes you want to get up and dance. Black Sun’s new version of the album also includes six additional cuts recorded live at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Palace, illustrating why Azymuth’s early concert tours of the United States in the late 70s solidified the band’s recording career.
Tracklist
01. Papasong
02. 500 Miles High
03. Pantanal (Swamp)
04. Dear Limmertz
05. Carta Pro Airto (Letter To Airto)
06. Outubro (October)
07. Maracanã
08. Un Amigo (A Friend)
09. Dear Limmertz Prelude)
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Gene Harris – Astral Signal
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1974, Jazz Fusion
A masterpiece from Gene Harris an album that’s probably been his biggest influence on the sound of soul in the 21st Century, and for good reason too! The set moves way beyond both Harris’ acoustic piano roots in the Three Sounds, and his other electric sides of the 70s into sublime spacey territory that’s wrapped up in soul – as much a pinnacle of his musical vision as early 70s records were for Herbie Hancock or George Duke! The vibe here is a bit between the looser styles of Duke’s MPS recordings, and the tighter grooves of the Mizell generation and arrangements are by Harris, Harvey Mason, and Jerry Peters, the latter of whom really adds some great elements to the record.
Tracklist
01. Prelude
02. Summer (The First Time)
03. Rebato Summer
04. I Remember Summer
05. Don’t Call Me Nigger, Whitey
06. Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong
07. My Roots
08. Green River
09. Beginnings
10. Feeling You, Feeling Me Too!
11. Higga-Boom
12. Love Talkin’
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Miroslav Vitous – Magical Shepherd
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1976, Jazz Fusion
Miroslav Vitous is best known as one of the foremost young bassists in the jazz-rock movement of the late 60′s and early 70′s. He was a founding member of Weather Report and made numerous solo albums. This album, Magical Shepherd, is making its worldwide CD debut. It features such jazz luminaries as Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette & Airto Moreira.
Tracklist
01. Basic Laws
02. New York City
03. Synthesizers Dance
04. Magical Shepherd
05. From Far Away
06. Aim Your Eye
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Isotope – Illusion
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1975, Jazz Fusion
Isotope was a British jazz fusion band based around guitarist Gary Boyle.
Boyle founded the band in June 1972 and a first album, Isotope, was largely composed by keyboardist Brian Miller. Jeff Clyne was on bass and Nigel Morris was on drums. However, Miller and Clyne left in 1974 to be replaced by Hugh Hopper and Laurence Scott (b. 7 Feb 1946) respectively. After touring, this new line-up recorded Illusion. Further touring followed and there were various personnel changes. Deep End was recorded in 1976 with two keyboardists, Zoe Kronberger and Frank Roberts. Hopper played on one track, but the bass was otherwise handled by Dan K. Brown. Boyle subsequently focused on a solo career.
little preview:
Tracklist
01. Illusion
02. Rangoon Creeper
03. Spanish Sun
04. E-Dorian
05. Frog
06. Sliding Dogs, Lion Sandwich
07. Golden Section
08. Marin County Girl
09. Lily Kong
10. Temper Tantrum
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Eero Koivistoinen Music Society – Wahoo!
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1972, Jazz Fusion
Funky funky Finland! Don’t be put off by the long name, or the overuse of vowels in the title — because this album’s a killer batch of funky jazz, filled with loads of choppy sax riffs, sweet Fender Rhodes licks, and plenty of heavy drums. The record’s got a hard fusion groove — and all the tracks are long instrumentals served up with plenty of power, and plenty of ferocity! The set was recorded in Finland in 1972, but it feels more like some killer studio jam from the west coast — played by by a very tight bunch of funky jazz musicians who weren’t afraid to go over the top. Titles include “Hot C”, “7 Up”, “6 Down”, “Suite 19″, and “Wahoo!”
Tracklist
01. Hot C
02. 7 Up
03. 6 Down
04. Suite 19
05. Bells
06. Wahoo!
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Herbie Hancock – Sextant
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1973, Jazz Fusion
Released in 1973 but recorded in 1972, Sextant was Herbie Hancock’s first album on Columbia Records. It was, and remains extremely complex, and a harmonically and rhythmically challenging musical statement. Hancock was no stranger to electronic music, having used synthesisers extensively during his short time with Warner Bros. Records, but Sextant took his sound to a new level, and arguably pushed the boundaries of the growing jazz-fusion movement further than any of his contemporaries.
Sextant was by far the furthest Herbie Hancock ever pushed himself musically. While a select few were collectively wowed by his new approach, Hancock alienated the bulk of his audience, who found his sound extremely inaccessible. Made up of just three tracks, the album recalls many of Hancock’s critically acclaimed Blue Note recordings, but also points toward the commercial success he would enjoy in the 80s with Future Shock and Sound-System, among others. However, with Sextant, commercial success would have seemed a long way away.
Ironically, Hancock’s first recording on Columbia would be his last recording with his Mwandishi-era group, with Sextant’s poor album sales forcing him into the mainstream with Head Hunters.
little preview:
Tracklist
01. Rain Dance
02. Hidden Shadows
03. Hornets
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Toshiyuki Honda – Burnin' Waves
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1981, Jazz Fusion
Sweet Japanese fusion from saxophonist Toshiyuki Honda — grooving with a tight, smooth, and soulful feel that matches the best of the genre from the time! The album’s got large R&B-inspired funky jazz arrangements from Chikara Ueda, and features some nice keyboard work by Larry Williams — plus a soulful vocal from Pauline Wilson on the album’s take on “Havana Candy”. Other tracks are instrumental, and titles include “747 Wind Flight”, “Sao Paulo”, “Burning Waves”, “All Night Rendezvous”, “Thunder Kiss”, and “Just A Dream Away”.
little preview:
Tracklist
01. Burnin’ Waves
02. All-Night Rendez-Vous
03. Thunder Kiss
04. You Blow My Heart Away
05. Just A Dream Away
06. Havana Candy
07. Sao Paulo
08. 747 Wind Flight
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Fabiano Orchestra – Butterfly Island
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1979, Jazz Fusion
little preview:
Tracklist
01. Half Moon Bay
02. Fo Ca Changè
03. Crèole
04. Rastaman Rock
05. West Indian Meditation
06. Butterfly Island
07. Fusion (Manahattan Pulse)
08. Pointe Des Chateaux
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