Roy Ayers: Best Of
(Polydor 1997)
Produced by: Roy Ayers and Wayne Henderson
Among all the "Best of Roy Ayers" that's been released, the 15
track Polydor Best Of is one of the best. Featuring Roy's great
version of the classic Bobby Caldwell penned "What You Won't Do
For Love". Also check out his lost & found recordings on "Virgin Ubiquity
- Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981 Volume 1 & 2.
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Banda Black Rio:
Maria Fumaca (WEA Brazil 1976)
Banda Black Rio:
Gafiera Universal (WEA Brazil 1978)
Banda Black Rio: Saci Perere (WEA Brazil 1980)
Banda Black Rio:
Rebirth (Mr. Bongo Records 2002)
Great jazz/funk from Brazil, mixing smooth jazz funk, soulful vocals,
and great production, into a sound that rivalled any of America's best
mainstream funk acts of the 70s! Filled with tight jazzy groovers, great
rhythms and tight instrumentation, never noticing the fact that the
lyrics aren't in English!
The 1980 Saci Pere also grooves like a Brazilian version of EW&F, mixing
together bubbling basslines, smooth keyboards, and funky horn riffs,
plus regional twists, like work on cuica and percussion to spice up the
funky mix a bit.
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George Benson:
Breezin' (Warner Bros. 1976)
George Benson: In
Flight (Warner Bros. 1977)
Produced by: Tommy LiPuma
Two highly recommended jazz/funk albums from this jazz/fusion
guitarist extraordinary. "Breezin'" is now also available in
multichannel DVD Audio format including 2 bonus tracks. "In Flight" features a great 9:47 mins.
version of the War classic "The World is a Ghetto"
plus "Nature Boy" and Donny Hathaway's "Valdez in the Country".
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Blackbyrds:
Flying Start (Fantasy 1974)
Blackbyrds:
City Life (Fantasy 1975)
Blackbyrds:
Action (Fantasy 1977)
Produced by: Donald Byrd
Assembled by Donald Byrd in 1974, the group's original members were from
Howard University's music department, where the doctor and jazz legend
Donald Byrd was an instructor. During the Blackbyrds' nearly decade-long
existence, the group cut a handful of LPs with "Walking in Rhythm," "Rock
Creek Park," and "Happy Music" are their three best-known cuts; they have
remained underground club classics, and they have been kept alive, in part,
through sampling.
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Willie Bobo: Hell Of An Act To Follow (Columbia 1978)
Produced by: Wayne Henderson
Willie Bobo: Bobo (Columbia 1979)
Produced by: Willie Bobo & Stan Silverberg
Willie Bobo (real name William Correa) was one of the great Latin
percussionists of his time. He died from cancer in 1983 aged 49. Hell Of
An Act To Follow was produced by Wayne Henderson and feat. some great
musicians including Bobby Lyle and conga/latin percussionist Victor
Pantoja. Henderson gave Bobo a more sophisticated production style and
the album has become a jazz/funk classic. It features a great and
possibly definitive version of Ronnie Laws classic "Always There". The
CD reissue also incl. the even better remix promo 12" version as a bonus
cut. Bobo from 1979 was produced by Willie along with Stan Silverberg
and is more of a vocal album feat. Errol Knowles on the popular 2
stepper Comin' Over Me.
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Brick: Good High (Bang 1977)
Produced by: Robert E. Lee
Led by the
flute-playing Jimmi Brown, Brick "created" the so-called Dazz sound
[Disco Jazz] also adapted by Kinsman Dazz, which later became The Dazz Band.
Good High is a killer debut and Brick quickly became one of the biggest
acts to come out of the up-and-coming Atlanta scene. Incl. the classic "Dazz"
and the excellent instrumental "Brick City". The complete Brick back
catalogue is now available on CD.
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Donald Byrd: Stepping Into Tomorrow (Blue Note 1974)
Donald Byrd: Places & Spaces (Blue Note 1975)
Produced by: Larry Mizell, Donald Byrd
Donald Byrd was considered one of the finest hard bop trumpeters and
recorded as both a leader and sideman in the 50's and 60s, most often
for Blue Note. He then became fascinated with Miles Davis' move into
fusion, and started recording his own forays into the field. In the
early 70s, with the help of brothers Larry and Fonce Mizell, Byrd
perfected a bright, breezy, commercially take on fusion that was
distinct from Davis, incorporating tighter arrangements and more of a
smooth soul influence. On both Stepping Into Tomorrow and Places & Spaces he explores
contemporary soul and funk, and adds elements of Marvin Gaye
and
Earth Wind & Fire, which makes the album both a bit
funkier and more soulful than most fusion albums at the time.
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Stanley Clarke: 1,2 To The Bass (Sony
2003)
Produced by: Stanley Clarke
Although a bit watered down and more radio friendly than some of
his earlier jazz/funk fusion offerings, I find this very good and it
proves Clarke still to be the king of the lower frequencies!
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Norman Connors:
Best Of (BMG/Buddah 2001)
Produced by: Norman Connors
Drummer and composer Norman Connors started out as a jazz
improviser, but he's probably best known for his R&B hits. This 14 track
compilation is actually more R&B than jazz and covers the period between
1976 and 1978, his peak years at Buddah Records. Including vocals by Phyllis
Hyman, Jean Carn and Michael Henderson.
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Crusaders: Southern Comfort (MCA 1974)
Crusaders: Those Southern Knights (MCA 1975)
Crusaders: Free as the Wind (MCA 1977)
Crusaders: Street Life (MCA 1979)
Produced by: Wilton Felder, Joe Sample & Stix Hooper
Street Life is a classic jazz/funk album that introduced the group to a wider
audience and did the same for Randy Crawford who handles the excellent
vocals on the 11 minute title track. Wilton Felder's horn work is
equally great and together they make this one of the best jazz/funk
albums of the era. Also check out Wilton Felder's 1980 solo album
"Inherit the Wind". (Jap. rel. only)
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Paulinho DaCosta:
Happy People (Pausa 1979)
Paulinho DaCosta:
Sunrise (Pausa 1984)
Produced by: Paulinho DaCosta
As one of the world's greatest percussionists, his name can is
found on hundreds of album covers as a session player. Both albums are
great jazz/funk with a Brazilian flavour including guest vocals by Philip
Bailey (EW&F) and Bill Champlin.
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Deodato: First Cuckoo (MCA 1975)
Depodato: Love Island (Warner Bros. 1978)
Deodato: Knights of Fantasy (Warner Bros. 1979)
Dedaoto: Night Cruiser (Warner Bros. 1980)
Deodato: The Crossing (Expansion 2010)
Produced by: Deodato
Brazil born Eumir Deodato De Almeida moved to USA in 1967. His
successes as an original artist (keyboards) occurred mainly in the 1970s
with Brazilian/Latin symphonic Jazz/Funk. Since then, he has produced or
arranged music in more than 500 albums for acts ranging from Kool & The
Gang to Björk, Christophe and k.d. lang. His 2010 album The Crossing is
great and feat. Al Jarreau among others.
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George Duke:
Follow the Rainbow (Epic 1978)
George Duke: Master of the Game (Epic 1979)
George Duke: Night
After Night (Elektra 1989)
George Duke: Illusions (Warner Bros. 1995 )
George Duke: Is Love Enough (Warner Bros. 1997)
George Duke: After Hours (Warner Bros. 1998)
Produced by: George Duke
After years of producing more pop than jazz, the above are very good fusion albums from this jazz/funk keyboard maestro. Strong melodies and
excellent production. Among all the featured vocalists are Jeffrey Osborne, Howard Hewett
and James Ingram. Be sure to also check out his 1979 "Brazilian Love
Affair". If you want more, go for the 2004 Epic/Legacy 33
track 2 disc set "The Essential".
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Wilton Felder - Inherit the Wind (MCA 1980)
Produced by: Crusaders
With Inherit the Wind, Wilton Felder has delivered one of the
best Crusaders-related solo projects ever! Co-produced with his fellow
Crusaders with traces of Latin, funk, and soul bubbling through a warm
jazzy mix. The blueprint for a zillion other fusion records -- none of
which ever sounded this good! Incl. vocals by Bobby Womack.
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Michael Franks: Burchfield Nines (Warner Bros. 1978)
Produced by: Tommy LiPuma
Michael Franks: One Bad Habit (Warner Bros. 1980)
Produced by: Tommy LiPuma/Al
Schmitt
Michael Franks: Blue Pacific (Warner Bros. 1990)
Produced by: Tommy
LiPuma/Al Schmitt/Jeff Lorber
Michael Franks: Dragonfly Summer (Warner Bros. 1993)
Produced by: Yellowjackets/Jeff
Lorber/Ben Sidran
Michael Franks: Abandoned Garden (Warner Bros. 1995)
Produced by: Russel Ferrante/Matt
Pierson/Michael Colina
Michael Franks: Rendezvous in Rio (Koch 2006)
Michael Franks: Time Together (Shanachie 2011)
Produced by: Various
Regardless of trends or airplay, Michael Franks always delivers
what he does best; ultra smooth crossover jazz. As a former literature
student at UCLA his lyrics are always superb. Among his almost 20 releases
since 1973, I find these 6 especially good. Great melodies and excellent
production. Included are a who's-who list of superb studio
musicians: Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Walter Becker, Buzz Feiten, Paul
Jackson Jr., Kirk Whalum and so on... Also check out his 2004 x-mas
album Watching The Snow on Rhino Records.
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Dave Grusin: 3
Days of the Condor (Capitol 1975)
Produced by: Dave Grusin
Sydney Pollack's 1975 spy thriller starring Robert Redford has
an incredible soundtrack! Dave Grusin really outdid himself with
this one. A great mix of of electric piano, basslines, and muted
trumpets over strings. Most movie soundtracks doesn't work well by
themselves, but this one sure does! The CD was released in 1997 by
Intermezzo Japan, but is
now deleted.
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Gene Harris: Tone
Tantrum (Blue Note 1977)
Produced by: Gene Harris
Super slick dance-floor-friendly jazz-funk and maybe one of
Blue Notes most commercial offerings. The lush melodies are beautifully
produced full of symphonic strings and soft backing vocals. Together,
Gene Harris' smooth jammin’ keyboards and Donald Byrd's slick horn work,
makes this one heck of a killer rare-groove album.
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Hiroshima:
Ongaku (Best Of) (Arista 1986)
Produced by: Wayne Henderson
Japanese group sounding something between R&B, pop, world
music, and jazz has integrated traditional Japanese instruments
into their musical blend. Hiroshima's founding members are
keyboardist Dan Kuramoto (who also played shakuhachi), June
Okida Kuramoto on koto (a key part of the group's sound), Johnny
Mori on taiko drums, and Danny Yamamoto on drums, percussion and
taiko. Hiroshima has recorded a series of best-selling albums
for Arista, Epic and Qwest. This compilation is from their
"Hiroshima" debut in 1979 and "Odori" 1980.
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Hi-Tension:
Hi-Tension (Island 1978) (LP only)
Produced by: Alex Sadkin & Kofi Ayivor
Still only available on LP, but rumors has it that Universal
Germany is about to reissue this British jazz/funk/disco album.
About time! A not so good "Best of" CD including some of
vocalist David Joseph's solo stuff was released in the UK in 1993. Stay
clear and wait for the original album I say!
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Bobbi Humphrey -
Blacks & Blues (Blue Note 1974)
Produced by:
Larry Mizell
Featuring some stellar production work by the great Larry Mizell,
very much in the same vein as that which he used on classic sessions by
Gary Bartz and Donald Byrd! This album also includes all the Humphrey
cuts you're looking for -- like "Chicago, Damn", "Harlem River Drive",
and "Jasper Country Man". Every track is great, and the album's a total
delight!
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Incognito:
Blue Moods (Best of) (Phonogram UK 1997)(
Incognito:
Adventures in black Sunshine (Dome 2004)
Incognito:
Transatlantic RPM (Dome 2010)
Produced by: Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick
Blue Moods is a great Acid Jazz compilation with deep roots in the 70's
jazz/funk/fusion world. This contains mostly instrumental tracks. You could also go for the 2000 release "Best
of". This is more soul/funk oriented and features vocals
by Maysa and Jocelyn Brown. If you want more, check out
Adventures In Black Sunshine (2004) and the Transatlantic RPM (2010).
Both great Soul/Funk/Jazz (or Acid Jazz if you prefer) releases.
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Bob James: One (CTI
1974)
Bob James: Two (CTI 1975)
Bob James: Three (CTI 1976)
Bob James: BJ4 (CTI 1976)
Produced by: Bob James
Keyboardist, singer, songwriter, producer and arranger, Bob
James played a major part in establishing the smooth jazz genre in the
1970s. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is
probably Bob James' most well-known work to date.
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Kem: Kemistry (Motown 2003)
Kem: Album II (Motown 2005)
Kem: Intimacy - Album III (Motown 2010)
Produced by: Kem
Having a 4 octave range, Kem Owens sounds much like Al Jarreau,
delivering a mature cross of R&B and Jazz. Stylistically not far from
from what you'd hear late at night on a soul station in the late '70s or
early '80s. All 3 albums are equally excellent.
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Neil Larsen: Jungle
Fever (A&M 1978)
Neil Larsen: High Gear (A&M 1979)
Produced by: Tommy LiPuma
Two excellent Latin inspired fusion albums from this very talented keyboard player. Very
hard to find on CD. The band is awesome with tight rhythm and
great bass work! Featuring Buzz Feiten, Steve Gadd, Abe Laboriel and Paulinho
DaCosta.
Horns by Michael Brecker, Larry Williams and Jerry Hey. Formed his own band with Buzz
Feiten simply called Larsen/Feiten Band. Has also worked with people like George Benson
and Al Jarreau, and was actually playing keyboards for one of
Gamble & Huff's first productions, The Soul Survivors.
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Ramsey Lewis: Sun Goddess (Columbia 1974)
Ramsey Lewis: Electric Collection (Best Of) (Columbia 1991)
Produced by: Maurice White, & Ramsey Lewis
Featuring the original recording of the classic jazz/funk track
"Sun Goddess". Contains most of the Earth Wind & Fire members from that
period.
On Electric Collection the material ranging from jazz-funk workouts like
"Come Back, Jack," and "The Messenger" to the playful "Blues for the
Night Owl." If "Tequila Mockingbird" seems greatly influenced by Earth,
Wind & Fire, it's because most of his sidemen on that great track are
members of the soul/funk powerhouse.
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Light Of The World:
Best of (Ensign 1992)
Produced by: Augie Johnson
Very good "best of" CD from this defunkt London based jazz/funk band formed in
1978. [UK CD only]. Also check out Incognito, - a band started by former LOTW member Bluey
Maunick.
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Alphonse
Mouzon: By
All Means (Pausa 1982)
Produced by: Alphonse Mouzon
Featuring Herbie Hancock, Lee Ritenour, Paul Jackson and The Seawind Horns. A talented
drummer whose music stretches from jazz to fusion, rock, funk and pop. He has played with
Roy Ayers, Weather Report and in the 70's and George Benson and Al DiMeola in
the early 80's.
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Nite
Flyte: Ascension
(Instinct 1999)
Nite
Flyte: U-Turn
(Passion Jazz 2003)
Produced by: Tony Campbell
Led by multi-instrumentalist Tony Campbell, this is ultra smooth and very relaxing guitar based jazz/funk from Britain.
The track "Lift Off" is pretty similar to MFSB's "Love Is the Message".
Also Check out the latest offering the 2003 "U-Turn" featuring Jean
Carne as guest vocalist.
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Pleasure: Best of
(Fantasy 1992)
Produced by: Various
Very good BMG Europe 15 track compilation from this much sampled jazz/funk act from Portland, Oregon.
Maybe it's time for someone to re-issue their whole back catalogue? Dust
Yourself Of 1975, Accept No Substitute 1976, Joyous 1977, Get To The
Feeling 1978, Future Now 1979, Special Things 1980 and their
final offering, the 1982 RCA release Give It Up.
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Brenda Russell: Paris Rain (Hidden Beach 2000)
Produced by: Brenda Russell & Stephan Oberhoff
Maybe not real "Jazz/Funk", but Brenda Russell sings mature love
songs in a smokey alto over minor-key jazz arrangements played by
in-demand session musicians and contemporary jazz guest stars like Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz, and Yellowjackets members Russell Ferrante and Jimmy
Haslip. Smooth jazz at it's best. Also check out "The Ultimate
Collection".
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Gabor Szabo: Night Flight (Mercury 1976) (LP only)
Produced by: Bunny Sigler
Born in Hungary in 1936, Gabor Szabo relocated to the United States in 1956 and became daringly
different in his approach to jazz, combining melodic elements from
different continents with his own Gypsylike style. His 1976 album
'Night Flight' was produced by Bunny Sigler at the Sigma Studio in
Philly and includes the classic mellow groover "Keep Smilin'" (another version was recorded by Sigler a
few years earlier). Also check out the Wayne Henderson produced "Faces"
album from 1977.
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Shazz:
Shazz (Sony France 1998)
Shazz: In The Light (Sony France 2001)
Produced by: Shazz
Two very good albums from one of France's most respected and
renowned house (!) producers. A smooth fusion of soul, R&B, house and
jazz, with a good balance of vocals and instrumentals creating the
perfect home listening soundtrack. Pipe & slippers lounge jazz if you
will.
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Lonnie
Liston Smith: Expansions (RCA 1974)
Lonnie
Liston Smith: Renaissance (RCA 1977)
Lonnie
Liston Smith: Loveland (Columbia 1978)
Lonnie
Liston Smith: Exotic Mysteries (Columbia 1978)
Produced by: Lonnie Liston Smith
After leaving the Miles Davis band in 1974, Liston Smith
released a number of great soulful orchestral jazz/funk albums. The
title track from Expansions is a timeless jazz/funk classic and has been covered by a number of artists
over the years. If you're a hi-fi freak, check out the 24 bit
remastered version reissued by BMG France in 2001. Alternatively you
can' go for the "best of" 2 disc set "Explorations: The Columbia
Recordings" released by Sony in 2000 but this only covers his 1978-1980
Columbia period.
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St.
Germain: Boulevard (Blue Note 1996)
St.
Germain: Tourist (Blue Note 2000)
Produced by: St. Germain
One of the few producers to pursue a real fusion of jazz and
house music, Frenchman Ludovic Navarre aka St. Germain, released
his first album, Boulevard, in 1996. Featuring trumpeter Pascal
Ohse, the album worked as a hybrid of American R&B and jazz with
the growing French house scene exemplified by Garnier, La Funk
Mob, and Dimitri From Paris. Tourist took the concept further
with Navarre working post-production on a fuller complement of
musicians, and earned release on Blue Note Records. A step on
the way to a perfect blend of jazz and electronic.
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Jeff
Tyzik: The
Farthest Corner of My Mind
(Best of) (Amherst 1986)
Produced by: Jeff Tyzik
Like real horns and violins? No synth-strings here. Check out this compilation from this great
N.Y. born horn player.
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Various: Classic
Jazz-Funk
Mastercuts Vol.1-7 (Beechwood Music UK)
Produced by: Various
Highly recommended CD compilation series from this UK based label. Including hard-to-find
12" versions if available. Featuring such artists as Roy Ayers, Grover Washington
Jr.,
Ramsey Lewis, Paulinho DaCosta, War, Wilton Felder and Ronnie Laws among others.
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Grover Washington Jr.: Mr. Magic
(Motown 1974)
Produced by: Grover Washington Jr.
The excellent title track is worth the whole album. 8:40 of pure
mellow groove. Classic Jazz/Funk!
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