Tatsuya Takahashi & Tokyo Union - Black Pearl

SIDE ONE
Black pearl
Speak like a child
Darts

SIDE TWO
Life is more precious than diamonds
With the force of nature
Soul eyes

Produced by Conrad Silvert for Zen Records
Recorded on September 23-26th, 1980 at The Automat studio - San Francisco.

With :
Yoshifumi Tada (tp)
Tsuneo Takeda (tp)
Kiyoshi Ohsaka (tp, fh)
Nobuo Katoh (tp, fh)
Kenji Nishiyama (tb)
Osamu Matsumoto (tb)
Tatsuroh Matsubayashi (tb)
Michiharu Yamazaki (tb)
Tatsuya Takahashi (sax, fl, cl)
Keiji Mori (sax,fl)
Hiroshi Yaginuma (sax, fl, cl)
Norio Moriguchi (sax, fl, cl)
Kenichi Tada ( sax, cl)
Masahiro Kanayama (p)
Atsuo Wada (b)
Hideki Nakamura (dr)
Hidetoshi Kaeano (g)
Hiroyuki Ohkubo (g)
Herbie Hancock (p)
Slide Hampton (tb)
Richie Cole (sax)

I have never been a fan of jazz big bands, those noisy and overcrowded orchestras, but this one is different.
This only-Japanese album has been recorded in 1980 ; it has received the valuable help of Herbie Hancock (and Slide Hampton too), which is giving to the main title track the required amount of funkiness.
The well-named Black Pearl tune is a 8 minutes jazz-funk killer which starts with a nice slapped bass line.
It is a perfect combination of the powerful horn section (which sounds a bit like the '76 Horny Horns) of the orchestra and the elegant-laid-back-funky-style of Herbie Hancock.
The rest of the album is less interesting from a "funkateer point of vue", but may fully satisfy any jazz enthusiast.
Amazingly, this record is not so hard to find for a fair price of $20 or even less !

Audio sample

Report :: St-Paul Soul Jazz Festival

Fast Three - St Paul Soul Jazz Festival

Los Ritmos Americanos - Brazillian Jazz Breaks vol.1

A new fresh mix by Los Ritmos Americanos. Check those brazillian jazz breaks from the 70s vaults of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro & Minas Gerais !
And still available : Soulful Spring Mix and Moody Grooves & Spiritual Jazz vol. 1

Listen to the mix

Interview with Byard Lancaster - The photos by Hugo Zangl

Interview of Byard Lancaster / Sounds Of Liberation

Founded in 1971, the individual members of Sounds of Liberation are all leaders in their own right. From the very start, the group built their reputation as innovative artists, playing gigs everywhere throughout Philadelphia, especially in Germantown’s Vernon Park. They recorded their first album in 1972, the self-titled Sounds of Liberation, on the Dog Town label. As their touring schedule expanded, Sounds of Liberation appeared at the Miss Black America Pageant, the New York City Arts Festival, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States. The original members included Jamal, Lancaster, Sudler, Hill and James, in addition to the late percussionist Rashid Salime and bassist Billy Mills who has since changed his instrument to the piano.

Through the decades, all of the members have continued to consistently front their own bands and recordings, compose and publish their original music, and conduct workshops, seminars, master classes and lecture demonstrations for students ranging from pre-kindergarten through the undergraduate and graduate levels at universities. Individually and collectively their artistry has become known worldwide, particularly in Europe, Japan and the Philippines. Since their inception the Sounds of Liberation have defied classification, choosing instead to create a menagerie of original music that is fresh, free, lyrical, percussive, highly cultivated and spiritually elevated.

We met them in September 2006, for their show at La Villette and it was probably one of the best show I have ever seen.

These are some audio samples of our interview of the master Byard Lancaster :

Wegofunk : As a pionneer of free jazz, can you tell us more about this music?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Wegofunk : You don't sing but you have a message. What is the message contained in your music?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Wegofunk : You recorded a great jazz-funk 45 in Paris at the end of the 70s. What do you like into funk music?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Listen to Just Test

Wegofunk : You played with the best jazz musicians. Can you just describe us some musicians you played with on stage?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Wegofunk : What about the Sounds of Liberation?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Wegofunk : Is Jazz dance the inspiration of Sounds of Liberation?
Byard Lancaster :Audio Sample

Wegofunk : Something to add?

Byard Lancaster : Audio Sample

Ekseption - 5

SIDE ONE
Introduction
Siciliano
Vivace
For Example/For Sure

SIDE TWO
A La Turka
Midbar Session
Pie
My Son
Finale

Produced by Rick Van Der Linden for Philips in 1972.

With:
Rein Van Den Broek (keys, lead voc,string & vocals arr)
Dick Remelink (sax, flutes)
Cor Dekker (Bass)
Peter De Leeuwe (Drums, Percussions, Guitar)
Rick Van Der Linden (Piano, Hammond, Spinet)

Ekseption is a dutch band mixing jazz and classic music, giving strange combinations and sometimes good stuff. The good surprise comes from the song Vivace that contains a 1 minute sample of heavy groove. It includes a floating atmosphere with a B3-hammond "a la James Brown".

Audio Sample

The Aquarians - Jungle Grass

SIDE ONE
Bayu-Bayu
Adela
The Aquarians
What Do You Mean, What Do I Mean?
Excuses, Excuses

SIDE TWO
Batakum
The Head
Saja
Jungle Grass
Mucho Soul

Produced by Mark Slotkin & Bill Rinehart for Creative Complex and UNI
Recorded in Hollywood in 1969.

With :
Vladimir Vassilieff (p.)
Bobby Hutcherson (vibes)
Lynn Blessing (vibes)
Carl Lott (d.)
Stan Gilbert (b.)
Al MacKibbon (b.)
Joe Roccisano (fl., sax)
Joe Pass (g.)
Francisco Aquabella (perc.)
The Gemini Twins (voc.)
David MacKay (voc.)
Vicki Hamilton (voc.)

Here is an amazing recording by pianist Vladimir Vassilieff, between 60s hippies melodies (it was recorded on west coast in 69), latin boogaloo and brasillian funky jazz.
Bayu-Bayu is in a "Marcos Valle" mood and Joe Pass' guitar sounds like Wes Montgomery : just beautiful!!
The Gemini Twins appear only on the Aquarians ; however they make this track very "lovely"!!
Audio Sample

Geneviève Paris - Entre Le Vert Et Le Gris...

SIDE ONE
Requiem Pour Un Chanteur De Metro
Un Dimanche Matin
Entre Le Vert Et Le Gris
Déviation
Woodstock

SIDE TWO
La Tête Dans Les Iles
Tu Fais Ta Valise
De Paris En Paris (instrumental)
Ca Se Voit
Je Perds La Mémoire, Je Crois

Produced by Jacques Bedos for AZ
Recorded in Paris in 1977.

With :
Gérard Bikialo (ac. & el. p., synth.)
Christian Padovan (b., voc.)
André Ceccarelli (d.)
Marc Chantereau (perc.)
Geneviève Paris (voc., g., ac. p., synth.)

Geneviève Paris is a parisian pop singer.
On this album, De Paris En Paris is the only very interesting track, but what a track!!
This is a Cortex-like instrumental jazz-funk with rock influences, featuring André Ceccarelli on drums and Marc Chantereau (Sirocco, Telemusic, Voyage) on percussion.
Audio Sample

Orquesta Flamboyan - Se Viste De Gala

SIDE ONE
Me Siento Guajiro
Venceremos
Bailey's Four Women
Ay Carmela!

SIDE TWO
Que Cosa Tendran Las Mujeres
Joe's Landlord
Aprovechate
El Merengue

Produced by Ralph Lew for Cotique Records
Recorded in 1970 in New-York.

With :

Frankie Dante (voc.)
Eddie Gonzalez Jr. (b.)
Billy "Tata" Baxter (timbales )
Jerry Gonzalez (congas on “Bailey’s Four Women”)
Ray Armando (congas)
Alex Ojeda (bongos and vocals on “Bailey’s Four Women”)
Joe Mannozzi (piano)
Joe "Chickie" Fuentes (trombone)
Angelo Rodriguez (trombone)
Harry Vigianno (guitar and tres)
Jose "Juicy" Cruz (guiro and claves)
Vince Garett (vibes)

A fantastic album of salsa with influences of carribean music (mento, ska) and funk. Venceremos is a killer dancefloor track for latin funk lovers!!

Audio Sample

War - Live

SIDE ONE
Introduction by E. Rodney Jones Of Radio WVON, Chicago, Ill.
Sun Oh Son
The Cisco Kid
(Intro) Slippin Into Darkness

SIDE TWO
Slippin Into Darkness
Slippin Part. 2

SIDE THREE
All Day Music
Ballero
(Intro) Get Down

SIDE FOUR
Get Down

Produced by Jerry Goldstein, Lonnie Jordan & Howard Scott for Far Out Productions / United Artists Records
Recorded November 25th, 1972 at the High Chaparral, Chicago, Ill.

With :
Lonnie Jordan (kb, voc., g., perc)
B.B. Dickerson - (b., perc., voc)
Harold Brown - (drums)
Howard Scott - (g., perc., voc)
Charles Miller - (clarinet, fl., perc., sax., voc)
Lee Oskar - (harmonica, perc., voc.)
Papa Dee Allen - (perc, voc.)

This album is for me the best of War. Because it is their best period (72/73), the energy is really intense and their mastery on stage is incredible. All the tracks are over-boosted. The set includes Slippin' Into Darkness, All Day Music and Get Down in their original long form, as well as the previously unrecorded Ballero, a superb latin jam session that reached #33 on the pop and #17 on R&B singles charts.
But the track that makes me crazy is The Cisco Kid with the funkiest wahwah guitar I have ever heard!!

Audio Sample

SOUL - Can You Feel It

SIDE ONE
Can You Feel It
Tell It Like It Is
Do What's Never You Want To Do
Peace Of Mind

SIDE TWO
My Cherie Amour
Love, Peace And Power
To Mend A Broken Heart
Sleeping Beauty

Produced by Steve Feldman and Richard Talmadge for Musicor / Talmadge Production
Recorded in NYC in 1972.

With :
Lee Lovett (b., voc.)
Larry Hancock (org., voc.)
Gus Hawkins (fl, sax)
Walter Winston (g.)
Paul Stubblefield (d.)

This is the second album of the SOunds of Unity and Love (SOUL). Maturity has gained ground since What It Is and covers give way to outstanding originals. Energy is still present on this album even if the tracks are more arranged and better produced.

Audio Sample

F.A.T. - Funky And Tough

SIDE ONE
How Can I Explain
Life Is A Beautiful THing
Feelings
Satan's Dream

SIDE TWO
Magician Man
Doing Bad
Free My Mind
Tip Of My Tongue

Produced by Willie Clarke for Bold Records and TK Productions.
Recorded in 1977.

With :
Eric "Fat" Gallon (d., voc.)
McKinley Odom (b.)
Tom Naguet (g.)
Kenny Jones (tp)
Anthony Clayton (t. sax.)
Oliver Crew (bass 747 tb)
Oscar Daley (tb)

Fat Gallon is a recording session drummer. His only album for Bold Records is hard to find. But it has been reissued in high quality.
Amazing is the best adjective to qualify the tracks of this record : soul, funk, p-funk and psyche are mixed and the mood is quite crazy.
Not as Funky And Tough as could suggest the title, but really preposterous!!

Audio Sample

James Brown - Reality

SIDE ONE
Reality
Funky President (People It's Bad)
Further On Up The road
Check Your Body
Don't Fence Me In

SIDE TWO
All For One
I'm Broken Hearted
The Twist
Who Can I Turn To

Produced by James Brown for Polydor.
Recorded in NYC in 1974.
Arranged by James Brown, Fred Wesley and Dave Matthews.

With :
James Brown (voc.)
The JBS

Probably not the best year for James Brown with his problems of drug and despair. In spite of this, he produces here some funky dance tracks (Funky President, Check Your Body, Reality) and covers of Cole Porter's Don't Fence Me In, Briscusse show tune Who Can I Turn To, Further On Up The Road and an unrecognizable rendition of Hank Ballard's The Twist.

Audio Sample

Mike Longo - Talk With The Spirits

SIDE ONE
Wyyoma
Roma
The Proclamation

SIDE TWO
Angel Of Love
Talk With The Spirits

Produced by Dizzy Gillespie for Pablo Records .
Recorded in NYC in 1976.

With :
Mike Longo (ac. p.)
Harold Vick (t. sax.)
Virgil Jones (tp)
George Davis (g.)
Bob Cranshaw (b.)
Mickey Roker (d.)
Dizzy Gillespie (perc. & voc.)

A jazz-funk album by Dizzy Gillespie's pianist Mike Longo. All the tracks are composed by Mike Longo. He plays here only acoustic piano but the feeling is still very funky.
Something sure : all the musicians took a lot of pleasure to play on this album!!

Audio Sample

Jack McDuff - The Fourth Dimension

SIDE ONE
Layin' Back
Rolling Stone
The Fourth Dimension
Half Breed

SIDE TWO
The City Bump
All Is Fair In Love
Show Casing

Produced by Esmond Edwards for Cadet Records.
Recorded in NYC in 1974.

With :
Jack McDuff (org., el.p., kb)
Jean DuShon (voc.)
Harold Vick (t. sax.)
Joe Farrell (t. sax., fl.)
Pee Wee Ellis (s. & t. sax, fl.)
Joe Newman (tp)
Richard Williams (tp)
Seldon Powell (b. sax.)
Garnett Brown (tb)
Joe Beck (g.)
Eric Johnson (g.)
Jimmy Ponder (g.)
Gordon Edwards (b.)
Wilbur Bascomb (b.)
Grady Tate (d.)
Norman Pride (perc.)

Jack McDuff proves here once more his ability to bring up to date his interpretation of jazz and groove.
The City Bump, played by McDuff, Ellis (on flute), Ponder and Tate, is an irresistible jazz groove track, fat and minimal.

Audio Sample

Ceasar Frazier - 75

SIDE ONE
Mighty Mouse
Summer Breeze
Sweet Children

SIDE TWO
Funk It Down
Living For The city
Walking On The Side

Produced by Bob Porter for Westbound Records.
Arranged and conducted by Horace Ott.

With :
Ceasar Frazier (org., el. p., kb)
Jon Faddis (tp)
Joe Shepley (tp)
Garnett Brown (tb)
Charlie Brown (t. sax.)
Babe Clarke (b. sax)
Horace Ott (ac. & el. p.)
John Tropea (g.)
David Spinozza (g.)
Richie Resnikoff (g.)
Cornell Dupree (g.)
Wilbur Bascomb (b.)
Bernard Purdie (d.)
Jimmie Young (d.)
Buddy Caldwell (perc.)
Joe Venuto (perc.)

On the ring : Ceasar Frazier versus Horace Ott (B3 Hammond versus Fender Rhodes). It is the most sensational and spectacular meeting of the Year (75, as the title of the album). A fabulous dance between all those musicians. The arrangements are massive and the beat is fat.
A must-have for jazz and funk lovers.

Audio Sample

Al Hirt - Soul in the Horn

SIDE ONE
Honey Pot
Mess Around
Calypsoul
Long Gone
Sweetlips
Girl

SIDE TWO
Love Ya Baby
Sunday Goin to Meetin Time
Snap Back
Harlem Hendoo
Ludwig

Arranged and conducted by Teacho Wiltshire & Paul Griffin for RCA Victor in 1967

Al Hirt (trumpet)
The other musicians are not mentionned.

This New Orleans trumpeter is best known for his work as a mainstream pop artist. He tries to make this album soulful as the title said and well, he succeded. Even if a lot of track keep its pop sound, you can find some funky drum breaks on "Honey Pot" and "Girl". The "Harlem Hendoo" track I mentionned is a monster one, a solid jazz funk base with a deep atmosphere and an oriental feeling.

Audio Sample

Mary Watkins - Something Moving

SIDE ONE
Yesterday's Children
Back Rap
Brick Hut
A Chording to people

SIDE TWO
Leaving All the Shadows Behind
Witche's Revenge
I Hear Music

Produced by June Willington and arranged by Mary Watkins for Olivia Record in 1978.

With:
Mary Watkins (keys, lead voc,string & vocals arr)
Jerene Wackson (ele & classic guitar)
Joy Julks (electric bass, french horn)
Linda Tillery (drums, perc, voc)
Vicki Randle (voc, congas)
Donna D. Dickerson (voc, lead voc)
Gwen Avery (voc, lead voc)
Colleen Stewart (clav)
Bonnie Kovaleff (trumpet)
Priscilla Andrews (violin)
Sabrina Berry (viola)
Stephanie Harice (violin)
Melian Eldalin (violin)
Hilda Lakewood (violin)
Kirsten Wickham (cello)

An all woman personel for this album on the feminist label Olivia.
Mainly jazz but many influences such as blues, funk & cinematic.
Two good tracks in a jazzfunk influence : Brick Hut with his great bass sound
Witche's Revenge is more in a fusion mood with a very good sound a rhodes making a cinematic atmosphere.

Audio Sample

Harold McNair - The Fence

SIDE ONE
The Fence
True Love Adventure
Early In the Morning

SIDE TWO
Scarborough Fair
Here, There and Anywhere

Recorded in Chelsea, England in 1970.
Produced by Sandy Roberton for September Productions and B&C Records

With :
Harold McNair (sax., fl. & el. sax.)
Rick Grech (b.)
Keith Tippett (p.)
Colin Green (g.)
Alan Branscombe (p.)
Terry Cox (d.)
Danny Thompson (ac. b.)
Tony Carr (perc.)

This is not funk but a very funky 70s jazz played by jamaican flautist and his english band. Harold McNair is really a fantastic musician inspired by Roland Kirk. All the tracks are both soulful and modern.


Audio Sample

Raw Soul Express - Raw Soul Express

SIDE ONE
R.S.E.
Emergency
Dedicate All My Love
Burn the Candle

SIDE TWO
It's In You
All Alone
Right On
Music Meditation

Produced by George "Chocolate" Perry for Cat records & TK Productions
Recorded in 1976.

With :
Rickey Washington (voc., fl., bar. sax.)
Christopher Booker (tp, voc.)
Martel Williams (tp)
John McMinn (t. sax.)
Chris Perkins (kb)
Tommy Johnson (g.)
Diego Iborra (d.)
Albie Manno (b., voc.)

A rare and very great album of funk. 3 big tracks : It's In You, R.S.E., Emergency ; and a jazz-funk track with a smooth feeling : Music Meditation.

Audio Sample

Mike Longo - Funkia

SIDE ONE
Ole' for The Gypsies
Samia
Funkia
Windmills Of Your Mind

SIDE TWO
What's Going On
The Last Tango In Paris
Southern Soul
Gingele

Produced by Sonny Lester for Groove Merchant in 1973.

With:
Michael Longo (ac. p., el. p.)
Ron Carter (b.)
Mickey Rocker (d.)
Potato Valdez (perc.)

Not such as funky as 900 Shares Of The Blues, this album is a great mix of jazz, brasillian groove and latin beats, with covers of Dizzy Gillespie, Les Mc Cann and Gato Barbieri.
The track Funkia is in a Blaxploitation OST mood.

Audio Sample

Luis Gasca - Born To Love You

SIDE ONE
A Love Supreme
Dr. Gasca
Search For Peace
I Was Born To Love You (Yo Naci Para Quererte)

SIDE TWO
New Orleans Strut
Samba Para San Francisco
Just Say Goodbye
Ayeres

Produced by Orrin Keepnews
Recorded in Berkeley (Ca.) in 1974.
Arranged by Joe Gallardo, Luis Gasca & Jack DeJohnette

With :
Luis Gasca (tp, flugelhorn)
Oscar Brashear (tp)
Eddie Henderson (tp)
Ray Pizzi (sax, bassoon)
Joe Henderson (t. sax.)
Hadley Caliman (t. sax.)
Joe Gallardo (tb)
Julian Priester (tb)
Jack DeJohnette (el. p., d.)
George Duke (el. kb)
Mark Levine (ac. p.)
John Heard (ac. & el. b.)
David Holland (el. b.)
Terry Bozzio (d.)
Carmelo Garcia (perc.)
Victor Pantoja (perc.)

Luis Gasca plays here with all his friends (Joe Henderson, Hadley Caliman, Jack DeJohnette, etc.) in different moods : samba, jazz and jazz-funk.
Dr Gasca and New Orleans Strut are two great instrumental funk tracks.

Audio Sample

Grady Tate - Windmills Of My Mind

SIDE ONE
The Windmills Of Your Mind
And I Love Her
Sack Full Of Dreams
Would You Believe

SIDE TWO
Work Song
A Little At Time
T.N.T.
Don't Fence Me In
All Around The World

Produced by Gary McFarland for Skye Recording.
Recorded in 1968 in NYC.
Arrangements : Mike Abene & Gary McFarland.

With :
Grady Tate (voc.)
Bob Cranshaw (b.)
Chuck Rainey (b.)
Billy Butler (g.)
Eric Gale (g.)
Herbie Hancock (org., p.)
Paul Griffin (p.)
Bob Thomas (d.)
Bernard Purdie (d.)
"Snookie" Young (tp)
Bernie Glow (tp)
Marvin Stamm (tp)
Jerome Richardson (sax, fl)
Joe Farrell (sax, fl)
Romeo Penque (sax, fl)
Sol Schlinger (sax, fl)
Danny Banks (sax, fl)
Urbie Green (tb)
Jimmy Cleveland (tb)
Jay McAlister (tuba)

Grady Tate was a very in-demand drummer in the 60s. This album is his first one as a singer. Here is a superb mix of soul, r'n'b, jazz and funk. The arrangements of Jerome Richardson and Gary McFarland are magnificent.

Audio Sample

Annette Peacock - The Perfect Release

SIDE ONE
Love's Out To Lunch
Solar Systems
American Sport
A Loss Of Consciousness
Rubber Hunger

SIDE TWO
The Succubus
Survival

Produced and composed by Annette Peacock and Aaron Sixx.
Recorded in London in 1979.

With :
Annette Peacock (voc.)
Max Middleton (kb)
Robert Ahwal (g.)
Richard Bailey (d.)
John McKenzie (b.)
Daryl Lee Que (perc.)
Lennox Langton (steel drums & perc.)

A psychedelic and groovy album with lots of floating atmospheres, Fender Rhodes (by Max Middleton), funky bass and rock drums. Annette Peacock raps, talks and sings on these grooves.

Audio Sample

The Joey Jefferson Band - The Joey Jefferson Band

SIDE ONE
Revolution Rap
Hot Lips
Walk On by

SIDE TWO
Baby Just To Love You
Sleep My Love
Hot Fun In The Summertime

Self-produced by Joey Jefferson for Mutt & Jeff Production.
Recorded in Los Angeles, California in 1975.

With :
Joey Jefferson (g.)
James Gadson (ds)
Leon Haywood (org.)
Ron Brown (b.)
Inez & Katherine (voc.)
Strings & Horns arranger : Willie Hoskins

A self-production by guitar player Joey Jefferson. As a big fan of Wes Montgomery, Joey's first solo album is as George Benson's or Kenny Burrell's ones at the end of the 60s.
A nice & funky groove with super drummer James Gadson (The Watts 103rd Street Band, Bill Withers)!!

Audio Sample

Clifford Coulter - Do It Now, Worry About It Later

SIDE ONE :
Ridin' On Empty
Yodelin' In The Whatchamaname Thang
Do It Now
Worry Later

SIDE TWO :
Mr Peabody
VJC
Before The Morning Comes

Recorded in Los Angeles and San Francisco, 1971.
Produced by Ed Michel.

With :
Clifford Coulter (ac. p., g., org., voc., melodica, perc.)
John Turk (tp)
Harry "Sweets" Edison (tp)
Jimmy Cleveland (tb)
Willie Ruff (fr. horn)
Bill Perkins (a. s.)
Plas Johnson (b. s. & t.s.)
Marshall Royal (t. s.)
Mel Brown (g)
Sonny Glaze (g.)
Ray Maccarthy (g.)
Jimmy Calhoun (fender b.)
Ron Beck (ds)

The cover of this album is totally crazy, as much as the music is strongly funky. Very great musicians playing an instrumental funk, with jazz language and soul power.
A must-have for early-instrumental-funk lovers!!

AudioSample

Cal Tjader - Lost Bolero In Berkeley

SIDE ONE
Gary's Theme
Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
Charisma (She's Got)
Never Can Say Goodbye

SIDE TWO
Bolero
Cloudburst
Curtain Call
Where Is The Love
I Want You Back

Produced and arranged by Ed Bogas for Fantasy Record in 1973 (except Gary's Theme arranged by Cal Tajder in memory of Gary McFarland)

with :
Cal Tjader (vibes, percs)
Pearl Bonney (voc)
Jon Faddis (tp)
Billy Brooks (tp)
Don Cooke (tb)
Melvin Moore (tp)
Frank Wess (fl)
Seldon Powell (ts)
Herman Riley (ts)
Jerome Richardson (fl & ts)
Merl Saunders (el. p, org)
Ed Bogas (kb)
Mike Wolff (el. p)
Joe Beck (g)
Larry Carlton (g)
Randy Oda (g)
George Duvivier (b)
Chuck Rainey (el. b)
Dick Berk (ds)
Jimmy Johnson (ds)
Michael Smithe (perc)
Bobby Hall Porter (perc)
Ralph McDonald (perc)
King Errison (perc)
Mayuto Correa (perc)

A full-spectrum album by vibraphonist Cal Tjader. Including soul-jazz tracks (Gary's Theme, Charisma, Never Can Say Goodbye), samba-jazz (Curtain Call), bossa-nova (Where Is THe Love), a latin cover of Maurice Ravel's Bolero and an instrumental and funky version of Jackson 5 's I Want You Back.

AudioSample

Clifford Coulter - East Side San Jose

SIDE ONE
Do It Again
East Side San Jose
Prayer Garden
Cliff's Place

SIDE TWO
Sal si Puedes (Get Out If You Can)
Big Fat Funky Shirley
Alum Rock Park

Recorded in San Francisco and Los Angeles in april and may 1970
Produced by Ed Michel for Impulse/ABC Records

With :
Clifford Coulter (voc, ac. & el. piano, org, g.)
John Turk (tp)
Cornelius Bumphus (ts)
Gino Landry (as)
Mel Brown (g.)
Jerry Perez (rhythm g.)
Jimmy Calhoun (b.)
Joe Provost (d.)
Billy Ingram (d.)

An early and funky album by multi-instrumentist Clifford Coulter. Alum Rock Park and East Side San Jose are two uptempo tracks with a raw and funky sound. The rest of the album is composed by blues, soul, jazz and boogaloo tunes, always with a crunchy sound and very well recorded.

AudioSample

Morris Wilson - Fantasy Island

SIDE ONE
Put You Foot On the Ground
Night Breeze
Beboppers Delight

SIDE TWO
Rock Bottom
Love Tones
Echoes Of The Past

Produced by Morris Wilson for Mowill Records. Recorded in Aleatoric Studio in 198?

with :
Morris Wilson (ts, voc)
Pierre Lewis (kb)
Andre Lewis (b)
Richard Lowe (d)
Rocky Garrity (d)
Michael Harris (perc)
Nancy Richardson (voc)
Roberta Davis (voc)
Howard Bivens (voc.)

A late album by saxophonist Morris Wilson, self-produced, in a Grover Washington Jr mood (when he was playing for CTI). With a cover of Booby Lyle's Night breeze and a parody of Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight (Morris Wilson is scatting instead of rapping!!).

AudioSample

Charles Wright and The Watts 103rd Street Band - You're so Beautiful

SIDE ONE
Express Yourself II
Let's Make Love Not War
Just To Settle My Nerves

SIDE TWO
What Can You Bring Me?
Your Love Means Everything To Me
You're So Beautiful
I Got Your Love

Recorded at Goldstar Recording Studio, Hollywood, Ca in 1971.

with :
Charles Wright (org, piano, g, arr.)
Gordon DeWitty (org)
Monk Higgins (piano, arr.)
James Gadson (drums, arr.)
Melvin Dunlap (bass)
Benorce Blackmon (guitar)
John Rayford (sax)
Bill Cannon (sax)
Gabriel Flemmings (tp, arr.)
Joe Banks (tp)

One of those very funky albums by Charles Wright and his excellent musicians. Including a special version of ExpressYourself : all the band scatting and jamming on the drummer's beat. And the funky track What Can You Bring Me? Contains samples.
A lesson of groove.

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Joe Henderson - Canyon Lady

SIDE ONE
Tres Palabras
Las Palmas

SIDE TWO
Canyon Lady
All things considered

Produced by Orrin Keepnews for Milestone Records
Recorded in October 1973 at Berkeley, Ca

with :
Joe Henderson (ts)
Luis Gasca, Oscar Brashear, John Hunt (tp)
Julian Priester, Nicholaas TenBroek (tb)
Hadley Caliman, Ray Pizzi, Vincent Denham (flutes)
George Duke (el. piano)
Mark Levine (ac.piano)
John Heard (b)
Eric Gravatt (d)
Carmelo Garcia, Victor Pantoja, Francisco Aguabella (perc.)

Modal and funky jazz album by saxophonist Joe Henderson on Milestone Recordings. He mixes here latin, funk and modal jazz to get into a perfect mood, both deep and groovy. George Duke on Fender Rhodes and Luis Gasca on trumpet are at their best. Contains a sample of Troublemakers' Express Way.
Probably one of his best album.

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Bill Cosby - Sings A Rocking Soul Album By "Silver Throat"

SIDE ONE
Bright Lights, Big City
Big Boss Man
Hush Hush
Baby, What you Want Me To Do
Tell Me You Love Me
Aw Shucks, Hush Your Mouth

SIDE TWO
Little Ole Man
Mojo Workout
I Got A Woman
Don'cha Know
Place In The Sun

Recorded in 1967
Produced by Fred Smith for Warner Bros Recording

Featuring the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band :
Al McKay (g)
Gabe Flemings (p, tp)
Melvin Dunlap (b)
James Gadson (d)
Big John Rayford (sax)
Bill Cannon (sax)
Ray Jackson (tb)

The first musical album by Bill Cosby! Not a funky album, featuring mostly rythm'n'blues, soul & blues tracks including covers of Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Willie Dixon. The single Little Ole Man, a cover of Stevie Wonder's Uptight reached the Top40 in 1967! Not to bad for a first studio recording!!

Letta Mbulu - Naturally

SIDE ONE
Afro Texas
Learn To Love
Noma Themba
Kube
Hareje

SIDE TWO
Never Leave You
Now We May Begin
Saddest Day
Setho
Zimkile

Produced by Caiphus Semenya for Junat Productions
Arrangements by Caiphus Semenya, Wayne Henderson , Jimmy Jones

with :
Julian "Cannonball" Adderley (as)
Nat Adderley (tp)
Joe Sample (key)
Arthur Adams (g)
David T. Walker (g)
Wilton Felder (b)
Stix Hooper (d)
Letta Mbulu (vcl)

The whole african soul of Letta Mbulu is present on this wonderful album. All these top musicians light up her voice.
"Songs like Kube, Noma Themba, Hareje and Zimkile reflect how comfortable - maybe a little slick - Mbulu could be at the crossroads of African and American music" Doug Payne.
Check also the breaks on Afro Texas!
You will understand why this album is one of my favourite.

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Janne Schaffer - The Chinese

SIDE ONE :
Halkans Affair
No Registration
Marbles
Titus

SIDE TWO :
The Chinese
Harvest Machine
Daniel Sover
Fillet Mignon
Air Mattress

with :
Bengt Karlsson (g)
Bjorn J:son Lindh (flute, kb)
Halan Nyqvist (tr)
Jan Bandel (perc., vibes)
Jan Tolf (perc.)
Janne Schaffer (g)
Malando Gassama (perc.)
Ola Brunkert (d) (he was Abba's drummer)
Slim Notini (p)
Stefan Brolund (b)
Sven Larrson (tb)

Recorded in 1974
Originally issued on De Luxe/Vertigo/Phonogram

A nice recording by swedish guitarist (the third) with a smooth funky groove with lots of floating atmoshperes and funky breaks. May be sampled. Recorded originally in 1974, but a re-issue was produced by Butt records in 1986.

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Syl Johnson - Diamond In The Rough

SIDE ONE
Let Yourself Go
Don't Do It
I Want To Take You Home (To See Mama)
Could I Be Falling In Love
Stuck In Chicago

SIDE TWO
Diamond In The Rough
Keeping Down Confusion
Please, Don't Give Up On Me
Music To My ears
I Heard The Love Chimes

Produced by Willie Mitchell for Hi Recording
Recorded at Memphis in 1974 .

Probably not the best album of Syl Johnson, but here is a very good one of Memphis Soul.
Don't Do It and Keeping Down Confusion could make you appreciate the last rays of the sun in autumn!!

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Hugh Brodie - And The Real thing

SIDE ONE
The Real Thing
Down Lonely Roads
Tippin'
Cornbread & Beans

SIDE TWO
Since My Baby (Left Me Standing Alone)
Utopian Chant
Truthful One
The Get Down Song

produced by KHEBA MUSIC
Recorded at Sound House Studios, Newburgh,
NY, june 1975

with :
Hugh Brodie (vocals, ts & ss)
Tyrone Crabb (b)
Bob Devos (g)
Allen Fallek (tp & fh)
Joe Anello (drums & perc.)
Bob Santiago (perc.)
Donna Brodie (vocals)

Here is a very funky fusion album, mixing afrofunk, jazz and rock. Some of the tracks sound like Nat Adderley's productions at the end of the 60s. Both deep and dancefloor.
Utopian chant is in a very spiritual-jazz mood.
Exactly in the line of Blackjazz Records.

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Welcome!!

Hello and welcome on the wegofunk blog,
we are a team of french journalists working for webzine wegofunk.
We are very happy to present you here our first musical blog in english. We will try to share here our love for black music and crate digging.
Thanks for being here.
Welcome in our musical trip : make yourself comfortable.
Here is only good music!!