Think of One - Trafico

Name: Think of One
Album: Trafico
Year: 2006
Style: Afro Beat, Funk, Samba, Jazz
Similar Bands: Stereolab, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Sergio Mendez
"One-Word" Review: Energetic Jazzy Big World Band
Based Out Of: Antwerp, Belgium
Label: Crammed Discs, Ryko

Cover, Back & Fold Out

Inner Pics, CD Tray, CD, Liner Notes, Booklet Cover and Back

Lyrics

Lyrics

Lyrics

Lyrics

Lyrics

Trafico (2006)

1. Essa Mesa 4:55 (single)
2. Samba Belga 4:47
3. Tirar Onda 3:35
4. Trafico 4:08
5. Tahina 4:39
6. Aai 4:59 (single)
7. Maria Chegou 4:39
8. Flor d'Agua 4:13
9. Feira de Mangaio 4:17
10. Maracatu Misterioso 6:10
11. Coracao de Papel 4:16
12. Tirar Onda (Chorinho) 3:14

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• David Bovee - Guitar, Vox, Keys, Producer, Photos (Flat Earth Society, SWAN, Ansatz Der Maschine, DAAU, Fes, Josse De Pauw, Orquestra Frevo do Mundo)
• Eric Morel - Sax (Flat Earth Society, Shakara United, Virginia Woolf, D'Stephanie, Zita Swoon, Arno, Fes, Josse De Pauw, Arno, Crayon Sun, Rise & Fall of an Individual, DJ Aldolino)
• Roel Poriau - Trumpet, Bugle, Producer, Recording Engineer, Recording, Editing, Mixing (Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkesrtra, Flat Earth Society, Flowers for Breakfast, Flemming, Daau, Myrddin, Lady Angelina, Les Blauw, Rum Baristas, Gansan)
• Tomas De Smet - Bass, Keys, Photos (Front Cafe Band, King Dalton, Les Blauw, Moondog Jr, Zita Swoon, Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band, Kiss My Jazz, Magnus, Myrddin, dEUS, Het Zesde Metaal, Birds that Change Colour, Crayon Sun, 
• Dona Cils do Coco - Vox
• Hugo Carranca - Drums, Percussion (Sheik Tosado)
• Peter Vanderberg - Hammond Organ (Alain Cupper Quartet, Caca, Flat Earth Society, Monsoon, Orchestra Exotica, Shakara United, Too Noisy Fish, Universe Zero, X-Legged Sally, nAncy, Sharko, Pierre Vervloesem, FES, Payskens & Van Hoeck, Josse De Pauw, Katja Vandl, My TV is Dead, Bruno Vansina, Goudi, Das Kapital, 
• Bruno Van Sina - Baritone Sax
• Marc Meeuwissen - Trombone (Flat Earth Society, Monza, Marie Dauine, FES, Belgian Afro beat Association, Peter Vermeersch, The National, Shakara United)
• Stefaan Blancke - Trombone  (Bar8, Capsule, Flat Earth Society, Sharaka United, Chitlin Fooks, Arno, Josse De Pauw, Jempy En Bongo, Franco Saint De Bakker, Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkestra)
• Michael Weilacher - Marimba, Vibraphone (Ictus, MDuo, Karel Goeyvaerts, Paulo Chagas, Champ D'Action, Volker Staub, Bherman, Vanishing Pictures, Guy De Bievre, Dirk Wachtelaer, COIN, Kris Dane, Heaven And, Riccardo Nova, Luciano Berio, Mike PattonJonathan Harvey, Mark Andre, Automat, Warble, Somnambulist)
• Ricardo Lourenco - Violao 
• Sergio Lemos - Cuica (Linda Martini)
• Fernanda Boechat - Vox 
• Sheyla Vidal - Vox
• Ale Oliviera - Vox, Photos 
• Carolina de Renesse - Vox
• Lucie de Renesse - Vox
• Pitcho Bovee - Sounds
• Bert Van Roy - Recording Engineer, Mixing
• Yann Arnaud - Mixing
• Chris Harrison - Mixing
• Andre Oliveira - Mixing
• Vincent Kenis - Mixing, Mastering
• Karel De Backer - Mastering
• Tom Hautekiet - Artwork
• Rob Walbers - Photos
• Mary Gatis - Photos
• Hannah Gorjaczkowska - Art Direction

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them when i got this, and i'm not even that sure when i got it...it might have been at a Tower Records listening booth and i liked it, but i don't remember the circumstances. For the longest time, i thought the band name & album title were reversed, and that they were a Hispanic / Mexican band from So Cal. But based on the liner notes, i don't think that's true at all.

Album Review: Apparently they are a nomad-like band, who travel to different places and cultures to absorb the music and work with musicians of that area to create multi-cultural albums, in this case, Brasil. Other cultures they studied were Moroccan, Inuit, and Congolese. They even toured around Europe in a van that could convert into a sound stage for outdoor or spurt-of-the-moment shows, and have won awards for best World / Boundary Crossing Music.

The songs contain a large amount of brass and jazzy swing. Most are very energetic songs to make you move, like a Samba. One quieter songs add a little reggae vibe, and another adds a jazzy french Stereolab sort of song (Aai)

Stand Out Track: Aai

Links:

Discogs

Allmusic

Crammed Discs
BBC

Spotify

Musica Brasileira

Gaylor, Bobby - Fuzzatonic Scream

Name: Bobby Gaylor
Album: Fuzzatonic Scream
Year: 2000
Style: Spoken Word, Stories
Similar Bands: Jim Carroll, Dennis Leary
"One-Word" Review: Wankery Stories set to acoustic jazz
Based Out Of: Boston, MA
Label: Atlantic, WEA,

Cover, Lyrics, Back, CD Tray

Liner Notes, Pics, CD, CD back

Fuzzatonic Scream (2000)

1. Suicide - 6:27 (single)
2. One Moment 4:17
3. Hit a Guy With My Car 5:52
4. Smelt 4:03
5. Tommy the Frog Killer 8:08
6. Animals 5:48
7. Out the Window 6:06
8. Masturbation 4:20
9. Business End of a Gun 9:19
10. Suicide (Non-Explicit Version) 5:21

Album Rating (1-10): 2.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Bobby Gaylor - Words & Music
• Marc Bonilla - Producer, Arrangement, Music, Instruments (California Transit Authority, Keith Emerson Band, John Debney, Kevin Gilbert, Thomas Lang, Eddie Jobson, James Newton Howard, 3rd Matinee, Glenn Hughes, Masahiro Andoh, Lyden Moon, Eric Westphal, Jordan Rudess, Steve Porcaro)
• Don C Tyler - Mastering
• Michael Scott - Music, Instruments (Jeff Scott Soto, Koobaatoo Asparagus / Oasis of the Zombies)
• Bob Birch - Bass
• Joii Goodman - Backing Vox
• Nick Casinelli - A&R
• Doug Buttleman - Mgmt
• Elliot Groffman - Legal
• Jeff Newton - Production Manager
• Richard Bates - Art Direction
• Martin Ogolter - Art Direction & Design
• Gregg Roth - Cover Photo
• Michael Tweed - Photos
• Christian Staehr - Photos

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this artist, but the photos make him look like an aging hipster, possibly an old punk frontman going out solo. Kind of an Elvis Costello vibe if he were trying to start a career in the 00's. The goatee screams some sort of previous life in rockabilly or ska.

Album Review: This is a bunch of self-wankery stories that the listener may or may not be able to associate with. Not poetry, more story slam songs with a noticeable Boston accent. The music accompanying the songs is a little jazzy maybe, but mostly generic acoustic Dave Matthews-y. Suicide is in poor taste, as half the monologue is about taking your life, and the other is about what you'd miss. And I had to skip past Tommy the Frog Killer...but i can guess where it was going.

Gaylor is an all-around media arts guy, including actor and stand up who moved from Boston to LA for his writing gig for the TV show Rosanne. He also voiced Buford van Stomm & wrote for Disney Channel's Phineas & Ferb. 

Stand Out Track: 

Links:
Spotify
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
IMDB
Phineas & Ferb Wiki

Metacritic

Pop Matters

Left Handed Boy - Curse of the Left Handed Boy

Name: Left Handed Boy
Album: Curse of the Left Handed Boy
Year: 2006
Style: Dark Rap/Hip Hop
Similar Bands: Judgement Night soundtrack, Gorillaz
"One-Word" Review: Audio Anti-Hero Hip Hop Graphic Novel
Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA / Mount Holly NJ
Label: Akhenation Music, Cult Member Music

Cover, Comic pg 1,12

CD, Sticker, Flyer, Back, CD Back, Comic pg 2-3

Comic pg 4-5, Sticker

Comic pg 6-7

Comic pg 8-9

Comic pg 10-11

Curse of the Left Handed Boy (2006)

1. Intro 1:12
2. 10th & Arch 3:04
3. Chapter 2 1:14
4. Facefirst 2:55
5. Bio 3:58
6. Picture Perfect 1:28
7. Write to Left 2:39
8. That Arm 3:18
9. Bloody Attitude 4:06
10. Perfect Picture 1:17
11. Art 3:54
12. Kiss the Order 2:40
13. Flatlands 1:28
14. Latest Dish 4:09
15. Family Dinner 4:44

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Daniel Elish - Artwork, Pamphlet Words & Pictures
• Carl Kavorkian - Producer, Vox  (MF Doom)
• Colin "Coligreens" Ryan - Producer
• Jimmy Greek - Vox
• Rummage - Vox, Producer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the band... The version i picked up in a dollar bin had some band stickers, a flyer for the band and an interesting comic book about a discarded boy growing up with a deformed, giant left hand. So, for the music, i'm guessing it is dark and emo...with all black and white artwork, i don't imagine it being upbeat emo...perhaps more sludgy and heavy. The album has long & short songs, so perhaps it is laid out like a graphic novel, with some tracks containing dialogue, telling a conceptual story, sort of like Life Of Agony's River Runs Red.

Album Review: There are different sources for the "band name." Searching by the album title, which i first thought was the name, Jam Faction came up as a possible name (spotify), but it is also listed as a copyright / imprint label. The album is on Jimmy Greek's bandcamp page under the band name Left Handed Boy, so that's a more accurate source. The record is mixed genre hip-hop. There are dark tendencies on the album filled with a complex, artistic anger. All along, the record threads the storyline of born different, being berated by father, and having to fight, through the anecdote of being left handed. However, nothing comes off as aggressive: it just flows, telling a story musically and lyrically in a head nodding, interesting fashion, mixing in dialogue/monologues over the music to embellish the graphic novel aspect of the record: like a comic book version of an audiobook.

The group Left Handed Boy / Jam Faction is a collective headed off by Jimmy Greek, and associates Rummage, Coligreens and Carl Kavorkian, who has also worked with MF Doom. The members are based in Philly (10th & Arch was the address of The Trocadero) and Mount Holly, as explained on the album. 

Stand Out Track: Kiss the Order

Links:

Discogs

Exclaim!
Soundcloud
Rate Your Music
Kavorkian bandcamp
Bringing Down the Band
Jimmy Greek & COTLHB Bandcamp 

White, Lenny - Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates

Name: Lenny White
Album: Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates
Year: 1978
Style: Jazz, Prog, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: TS Monk, Miles Davis, Return to Forever
"One-Word" Review: Safe Conceptual Funky Jazz
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Elektra/Asylum, Warner Communications

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Gatefold Story, Sleeve, Record

Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates (1978)

1. Prelude: Theme for Astral Pirates 1:20
2. Pursuit 2:58
3. Mandarin Warlords 5:06
4. The Great Pyramid 2:30
5. Universal Love 3:30
6. Remembering 0:34
7. Revelation (Astral Pirates) 3:25 /
8. Stew Cabbage and Galactic beans 3:51
9. Heavy Metal Monster 4:39
10. Assault 3:36
11. Climax: Theme for Astral Pirates 7:42

Album Rating (1-10):

Members & Other Bands:

• Lenny White - Producer, Album & Story Concept, Drums, Synth Drums, Eu, Percussion, Re-Mixing, Music Arrangement (Return to Forever, Jackie Mclean, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Twennynine, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, Azteca, Cyrus Chestnut, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, Joe Henderson, Wallace Roney, Buster Williams, Andrew Hill, Woody Shaw, Gato Barbieri, Curtis Fuller, Buddy Terry, Eddie Henderson, Don Cherry, Jaco Pastorius, Brian Auger, Elaine Elias, Manhattan Project, Michael Patrucciani, Bobby Hutcherson, Urbanator, Geri Allen, Ron Carter, Jamey Haddad, Letizia Gambi, Stan Getz, Echoes of an Era, Griffith Park, Jamacia Boys, Gil Evans, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Big Daddy Kane, Hiromi, Marcus Miller, Tom Browne, Renee Rosnes, Fuse One, Meeting Point, Michael Urbaniak, Milky Way, Powerhouse, Essence All Stars, Super Premium Band, Vertu, many )
• Al Kooper - Producer
• Alex Blake - Bass, Music Arrangement (Ahmed Abdullah's Diaspora, Malcolm Braff, Manhattan Blaze, Randy Weston African Rhythms, Ryo Kawasaki, Manhattan Transfer Band, Puppeteers, Sun Ra Arkestra, Greg Bandy, Emanuel K Rahim, Weldon Irvine, Charles Sullivan, Carlos Garnett, Arif Mardin, Billy Cobham, Airto, Don Pullen, Frank Lowe, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Rollins, Yusef Lateef, Last Poets, Kazumi Watanabe, Charles Bobo Shaw, Pharoah Sanders, Linda Williams, Blast, Jaroslav Jakubovic, Cory Daye, Norman Connors, Janis Siegel, Carmen Lundy, Jimmy Buffett, Earl Klugh, Chico Freeman, Brainstorm, Jonathan Butler, Dom Um Romao, Vertical Hold, Oran 'Juice' Jones, Mac Gollehon, Phyllis Hyman, Andrienne Wilson, Stan Getz, Babatunde Lea, Roman Kunsman, Elements of the 7th, Ximo Tebar, Harry Whitaker)
• Donald "Captain Keyboards" Blackman - Organ, Pianos, Oberheim Polyphonic, Synth, Eu, Vox, String & Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Weldon Irvine, Bernard Wright, Roy Ayers, Esperanto, Kenji Hino, Patches Stewart, Livesavas, Lips, Sylvia St James, Hugh Masekela, EPM, Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys, Vikki Love, la La, Missing Links, Gwen Guthrie, TMNT,Mmajee, Hamiet Bluiett, World Sax Quartert, Yoko Oginome, The Men X Perience, Sting, Joey Negro, Mino Cinelu, Waymen Tisdale, Femi Temowo, Brandon Williams)
• Nick Moroch - Lead Guitar, Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Mongo Santamaria, Jeff Conaway, Lips, Poussez, Sylvia St James, Rick James, Michael Franks, Tony Frye, Eddie Jobson, Zinc, Bernard Wright, Marcus Miller, Michael Johnson, Scritti Politti, Kirk Whalum, Temptations, Fury, Melba Moore, Porter Carroll 2, Michael W Smith, David Bowie, Howard Jones, Chaka Khan, Bob James, Vanesse Thomas, Claude Nougaro, Bee Gees, David Sanborn, Terumasa Hino, Sarah Dash, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Michael Colina, Gillian & Glover, Blues Trottoir, John Warren, Patrick Bruel, Arthur Baker & Backbeat Disciples, Kashif, Mira, Jeffrey Osborne,  Jibri Wise One, Nicki Richards, Pete Levin, Voyceboxing, Johnny Hallyday, Gary Brown, Baby Jane Dexter, Roch Voisine, Malta, Jonathan Butler, Tony Terry, Henri Salvador, Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, Julie Masse, Michael Davis, Bill Evans, Rinken Band, Philippe Saisse, Selena, SMAP, T-Square, Cheryl Lynn, Tony Toni Tone, Marylin Scott, Smappies, Yoshiko Kishino, Mica Paris, Rachel Z, Liane Foly, Still Wicked, Marc Nelson, Marek Niedzwiecki, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ronn Moss, Terumasa Hino, Point of Grace, 2Ge+her, Kathy Troccoli, David Arnold, Ak, Joe, Jesse Powell, Wayman Tisdale, What For, Dennis Chambers, Roger Glover, Brian McKnight, Kelly Rowland, Gareth Hates, Jessica Simpson, Do Swing, Jason Miles, Nicole C Mullen, Danny Brill, Cliff Dawson, Gene Lake, From the Fire, Alice Soyer, Curtis King, Chris Bender)
• David Gahr - Photos
• Patrick Gleeson - All Synth Programming
• Don Mizell - Album & Story Concept, Narrative Language
• Bob Edwards - Engineer, Re-Mixing
• Skip Shimmin - Recordist
• Seth Dworkin - Recordist
• Dave Rader - Recordist
• Bob Graham - Equipment
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Michael Kaluta - Illustrations & Cover
• Anthony Gleeson - Color
• Tony Lane - Art Direction
• Johnny lee - Design
• Michael Bryant - Narrative Language
• Toby Byron - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this artist / band. Which makes me very frightened...because this album looks to be heavy on high concept art and is basically a soundtrack to a piece of elaborate fiction. This actually sounds very exciting, and I can't wait to find out if this is prog, like most concept albums were from the 70's, or if it is something else completely, since neither Lenny White nor the band appear to be a bunch of stereotypical nerdy white dudes. But since it is really out there and goes all-in on the creativity, the fact that i've never heard of it makes me thing it's going to be terrible- that it never broke out of the complex, Star Wars inspired starting gate, and was forgotten for good reason.

Album Review: From the start, it is pretty straight forward jazzy prog...a little more in a controlled space than say Brand X, but definitely Jazzy. Once "Universal Love" hits, the first with lyrical vocals, the tone has shifted to funk and soul. 

While being a left handed self taught drummer on a right handed kit, he is considered one of the founders of the Jazz Fusion concept. He played on the uberfamous Bitch's Brew with Miles Davis, is the winner of 4 (of 6 nominations) Grammy awards, and is a professor at NYU Steinhardt. He has also recorded soundtrack music for films, including House Party with Kid n' Play.

Stand Out Track: Universal Love, Stew Cabbage & Galactic Beans

Links:

Spotify Album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Facebook
Drummer World
NYU Music Adjunct Faculty
Istanbul Cymbals
Vic Firth Zildjian
NY Jazz Workshop
Chesky records
All About Jazz
Modern Drummer (subscription)
Rate Your Music

Upchurch, Phil - Upchurch

Name: Phil Upchurch
Album: Upchurch
Year: 1969
Style: Jazz Guitar, Funk
Similar Bands: Ramsey Lewis, Curtis Mayfield, Al Hirt, Jimmy Smith, George Benson
"One-Word" Review: Meditative Guitar Noodling in various settings.
Based Out Of: Chicago, IL
Label: Cadet, Chess

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Upchurch (1969)

1. Black Gold  4:31
2. America 3:30 (Paul Simon Cover)
3. As You Said 2:31 (Cream Cover)
4. You Wouldn't. You Couldn't Be True 3:02
5. Cross Town Traffic 4:00 (Hendrix Cover) /
6. Adam and Charlene 4:19
7. Spinning Wheel 3:28 (Blood Sweat & Tears Cover)
8. Voodoo Chile 2:52 (Hendrix Cover)
9. More and More 2:43 (Blood Sweat & Tears cover)
10. Midnight Chile 4:09 

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Phil Upchurch- Guitar (Kool Gents, Dells, Spaniels, Curtis Mayfield, Otis Rush, Jimmy Reed, Dee Clark, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Groove Holmes, BB King, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Brown, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Gene Chandler, John Lee Hooker, Grover Washington Jr, Cannonball Adderley, Soulful String, Rotary Connection, Donny Hathaway, Harvey Mason, Ramsay Lewis, Quincy Jones, Tennyson Stephens, George Benson, Mose Allison, Gary Burton, Lenny Breau, Joe Williams, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Cat Stevens, David Sanborn, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Bob Dylan, Peabo Bryson, Anita Baker, Minnie Riperton, Red Holloway, Sheena Easton, Hubert Laws, Ben Sidran, Maurice White, The Crusaders, Palladin, Ichiban, Ridgetop, Bo Diddley, Marlena Shaw, Whitney Houston, Julio Iglesias, Moonglows, The Co-Ops, more)
• Louis Satterfield - Bass (Phenix Choir/Horns, Philip Cohran & Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Sky, Intentions, Pharaohs, Salty Peppers, Phil Collins, Fontella Bass, James Cotton, BB King, Jack McDuff, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Okie Duke, The Dells, Shel Silverstein, Mighty Joe Young, Earth Wind & Fire, Emotions, ChiLites, Staples, Denise Williams, Ronnie Laws, Gap Band, Tavares, Invisible Mans Band, more)
• Morris Jennings - Drums (Electronic Concept Orch, Operation Breadbasket Orch & Choir, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Soulful Strings, Jack McDuff, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Zeet Band, Odell Brown, Jerry Butler, Dells, Peabo Bryson, Terry Callier, Charles Jackson, Chi-Lites, Manhattans, Curtis Mayfield, Jesus Wayne, Superior Movement, Roy Buchanan  more)
• Donny Hathaway - Piano (Mayfield Singers, Salty Peppers, Woody Herman, Roberta Flack, Young-Holt Unlimited, Margie Joseph, Fascinations, Zeet Band, Billy Prewitt, Operation Breadbasket Orch & Choir, Little Milton, Barry Melton, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler, Cold Blood, Joe Cocker, King Curtis, Dr Dre, Nate Dogg, Sam Moore, Lo-Fi Allstars, Missy Elliott, Danny O'Keefe, Lou Vega, Rick Ro$$, more)
• Bobby Christian - Percussion (Carl Stevens, Harry Lookofsky, Soulful Strings, Louis Panico, Louise Massey, David Carroll, Dick Schory, Sid Cooper, Melody Four, Jack McDuff, Zager & Evans, Guy Lombardo, Okie Duke, Joe Venuti, Hollins & Starr, Gene Chandler, Bonnie Koloc, McLuhan, Dells, Terry Callier, Jerry Butler, Charles Bevel, Bonnie Koloc, Chi-Lites, Heaven & Earth, Honeytree, Morello, Cleveland Eaton, Ron Steele, Tyrone Davis, Walter Jackson, Teresa Wiater, Peabo Bryson, Little Milton, Marti McCartney, LeRoy Hutson, Eugene Record, Manhattans, Rotary Connection, Gus Gioradano, Russ Morgan)
• Dave Chausow - Strings & Horns (Ramsey Lewis, David Carroll, Joe Morello, Electric Concept Orch, Okie Duke, Jerry Sandifer, Mason Profit)
• Stu Black - Engineer
• Charles Stepney - Arrangement, Conducting, Producer
• Jim Taylor - Cover Photo
• Victor Skrebneski - Liner Photo
• Randy Harter - Album Design
• James Mack Singers - Vocals

Unknown-ness: This is one cool looking album...love the simple yellow and black art direction, the kaleidoscope image of Phil Upchurch, and most enjoyable, the Upchurch font. Since the cover shows just Upchurch and his guitar, I'm going to assume this is something bluesy, but along the lines of Clapton with more soul. However, the back of the record lists him as a Jazz-Rock guitarist, as well as the accompaniment of drums and piano (and 36 pieces on one track), so I assume it will be much more jazzy than that.

Album Review: The album spans the range of jazz from full orchestral support to three piece night club performances. The result is mood setting and relaxing for half the tracks, and bright, bombastic, yet gritty for a handful of others.  

Upchurch was a very talented guitarist, starting professionally at 16 years old. He had one big single in 1961 called You Can't Sit Down (US top 30), which President Clinton performed at his inauguration. In the mid 60's became the house guitarist for Chess Records, so he has performed on many records. 27 solo albums later, he is still performing today (2021), playing Jazz, Soul, Funk, RnB and Blues, not to mention an advertisement or a cameo role here and there.

Stand Out Track: As You Said

Links:
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Youtube Full Album
Wiki
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Allmusic
Soul Walking
La Bella Strings
WNCU
Jazz Musician Archives
Smooth Jazz
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Who Sampled

UK - Danger Money

Name: UK
Album: Danger Money
Year: 1979
Style: Prog, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Styx, Brand X, Battles, Mike Batt, Emerson Lake Palmer, King Crimson
"One-Word" Review: Cinematic Space Soundscapes
Based Out Of: England
Label: EG Records, Polydor, Polygram Distribution

Cover, Record, Liner Notes

Back, Record, Sleeve Notes

Danger Money (1979)

1. Danger Money 8:12
2. Rendezvous 6.05 5:00 (single)
3. The Only Thing She Needs 7:53 (single) /
4. Caesar's Palace Blues 4:42 (single B-Side)
5. Nothing to Lose 3:57 (single)
6. Carrying No Cross 12:20

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Eddie Jobnson - Writing, Arrangement, Producer, Violin, Keys (Curved Air, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, Legacy, UKZ, Ultimate Zero, Fat Grapple, Roger Glover, Neoteric Orch, Yes, Mark Mancina, Andy Mackay, Bryan Ferry, Dana Gillespie, Amazing Blondel, John Entwistle, Mike Heron's Reputation, Phil Manzanera, Jasun Martz, Spyro Gyra,   more)
• John Wetton - Writing, Arrangement, Producer, Vox, Bass (Asia, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Brian Eno, Uriah Heep, Edward Hand, Family, The Human Experience, Jack-Knife, Mogul Thrash, Qango, Renaissance, Wishbone Ash, Ultimate Zero, Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Atoll)
• Terry Bozzio - Drums, Percussion (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons, HoBoLeMa, Lonely Bears, Vai, Bozzio Levin Stevens, Brecker Bros, Jeff Beck, Luis Gasca, Barretto, A.Heller, Spinettam Group 87, more)
• John Punter - Engineer
• Geoff Emerick - Recording
• Nigel Walker - Asst. Engineer
• Dave Fidler - Crew
• Graham Davis - Crew
• Hipgnosis - Cover Design, Photos
• George Marino - Mastering
• Mark Fenwick - Special Thanks
• Sam Alder - Special Thanks

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. The cover of a corporate employee washing their hands, couple with the album title Danger Money offer a political commentary on corporate greed and the difficult subjugation. The back show long hairs with their instruments, and overall, i get a hard rock, power pop standing on the edge of metal vibe...if it were not for the 6 tracks at rather lengthy times. That makes me think it is more of a prog act. Not to say the two cannot be blended. Also, I see the name John Wetton, whom I have reviewed previously as a solo artist. So if that gives me any indication, this will still be that fine line of power pop & arena rock.

Album Review: The music emits the feeling of a cohesive theatrical play about psychedelic space adventures, even if that was not the intention. The vocal sections show they can be an arena rock band like Journey, but the rest of the progressive sections tie them to the 8-10 minute musings genre. The first 4 minutes of The Only Thing She Needs is a nice song with some Battles and Genesis sounding sections, but the song pauses and builds itself back up for an extra 4 minutes or so.

UK were a supergroup, with each member coming from 3-5 different popular bands from King Crimson, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa to name a few (obviously i'm not well versed enough in these bands or I may have picked a name out.). The end of Prog's popularity & differences in stylistic direction plagued the band, as this is their second of two studio albums (where the first one had four members, one of whom was a different drummer [Bill Bruford], and they did not replace the guitarist [Allan Holdsworth]), and they broke up while touring for the album. But their differences were not enough to burn any bridges, as these three all worked together in various projects, and reformed together for a US tour in 2012.

Stand Out Track: The Only Thing She Needs

Links:

Youtube full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Music Aficionado (first album)
Prog Archives
classic rock history
Q104.3
Under the Bridge 2015 show promo
John Wetton
Something Else!
Progrography
The Progressive Aspect
Rate Your Music
Music Street Journal
all about jazz

Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan - Peculiar Friends

Name: Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan
Album: Peculiar Friends
Year: 1971
Style: Classic Rock, Psychedelic Funk, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood, Blood Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse
"One-Word" Review: Gritty Psych Show Tunes
Based Out Of: New Jersey / NYC
Label: Polydor

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Inner Gatefold, Sleeve, Record

Peculiar Friends (1971)

1. Peculiar Friends 0:19
2. The Night I Got Out of Jail 3:44
3. Shootin' the Breeze 3:19
4. The Pickpocket 3:48
5. No Next Time 4:34 (single) /
6. Love Me 5:05
7. Fourteenth Street (I Can't Gat Together) 5:49
8. I Had Him Down 3:52
9. Down in the Cold 6:09 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Aram Schefrin - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Guitar (Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Lou Reed)
  
• Michael Zager - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Keys (Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, Moon Band, M-Zee Band, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Take Five, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Mary lou Retton, Elusion, Spinners, Johnny Guitar Watson, DJ Valium, Genya Ravan, Street Corner Symphony, Cryer & Ford, Saint & Stephanie, Dee Edwards, Alvin Fields, more )
• Geyna Ravan - Writer, Arrangement, Vox, Harp (Goldie & the Gingerbreads, Denny Greene, Lou Reed, Blue Oyster Cult, Ronnie Spector, Gamma, Joy Rider. Flowerpot Men, Joey Ramone, Doughboys, Palmyra Delran, Fanny Walked the Earth, Michael Des Barres, Shady Lady, Kracker, Goldie Zelkowitz, Jay-Z)
• Blake Hines - Bass
• David Williams - Drums
• Alan Gauvin - Reeds  (Woody Herman, Bill Wartrous, Pratt Bros Big Band, Killer Force, Thundering Herd, Buddy Rich, Twiggs, Rich Shemaria)
• Dean Pratt - Trumpet (NY Neophonic Orch, Panama Friends & Savoy Sultans, Pratt Bros Big Band, Clifford Jordan, Killer Force, DMP Big Band, NTXSU Lab Band, Joel Kaye, Chris Robison, Buddy Rich, Bill Warfield, Leon Redbone, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton)
• Tom Malone - Trombone (3:00 Lab Band, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Child is Father to the Man, Dude Skile's Hot Combustion, Gil Evans, Orquesta Palenque, Blues Brothers Band, Brass Attack Horns, CBS Orch, Mon Night Orch, NTXSU Lab Band, RCO All-Stars, SNL Band, Ultimate Onions, World's Most Dangerous Band, Woody Herman, Mylon, OT Zappo, more) 
• Danny Stiles - Trumpet (Sal Salvador, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Bill Watrous, Woody Herman, Herman & Puente, Maxwell Davis, Chris Connor, Bill Russo, Peggy Lee, Incredible Jimmy Smith, Oscsar Peterson Trip, Manny Albam, JJ Johnson, Pat Williams, T-Bone Walker, Singers Unlimited, Jake Hanna, Bette Midler, Nat Pierce, James Brown, Gerry Mulligan)
• Frank Frint - Trumpet
• Jay Messina - Engineer
• David L'Heureux - Cover Art, Album Design
• Triano-Gatefold Art
• Lou Podover - Photos
• Chuck Pulin -Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I always enjoy a nice gatefold album I've never heard: that usually means more care has gone into the album & packaging. I do like the Alice in Wonderland-like artwork, calling them peculiar friends, which is also the album and lead track name. Never heard of the name dropped singer, Genya Ravan, but from the design, I imagine this is pretty straight forward classic rock, maybe with a touch of Psych from the Alice/Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-inspired sketches.

Album Review: The album is definitely a classic rock with powerful female vocals, thinking Joplin/Slick with all the variants present within the classic rock realm: psych, garage, funk, rock, gospel, and even some slow ballads. Even through The Night I Got Out of Jail is a driving, fun rocker, overall this is not for me, but it sounds typical of the sound & period.
The band had already found considerable success and acclaim by this, the third album, and Rayan was ready to leave the band. They had played some big festivals and high profile venues like Fillmore East (where Rayan performed part of the show topless with body paint) and Carnegie Hall. The band survived 6 years total, a lead singer and record label changes, but it was a big starting block for Michael Zager's disco career. The band was also inspirational in the face of a male dominated field for Bette Midler & her writing of The Rose.

Stand Out Track: The Night I Got Out of Jail

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Spyro Gyra - Morning Dance

Name: Spyro Gyra
Album: Morning Dance
Year: 1979
Style: Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Brand X, David Moss, Weather Report, Brecker Brothers
"One-Word" Review: Earthy Jazz Collages
Based Out Of: Buffalo NY
Label: MCA, Transcontinent Record Sales

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Morning Dance (1979)

1. Morning Dance 3:58
2. Jubilee 4:31
3. Rasul 3:56
4. Song for Lorraine 3:59
5. Starburst 4:48 /
6. Heliopolis 5:34
7. It Doesn't Matter 4:27
8. Little Linda 4:21
9. End of Romanticism 5:18

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0
Members & Other Bands:

• Jay Beckenstein - Writer, Producer, Sax, Boobams, Percussion (Orleans, Bob James, Puleo, Joege Dalto, David Broza, Dream Theater, Basia, Rick Rhodes, SMAP, Smappies, Mercedes Hall, Marek Niedzwiecki, Wolfgang Haffner, Jason Miles, Luciano Ladeira, Fusion Syndicate, Calvin Weston, Sandeep Chowta)
• Chet Catallo - Writer, Guitar (T. Lavitz, Glenn Medeiros)
• Jeremy Wall - Writer, Asst Producer, Piano, Synth, Percussion, String Arrangement, String Conducting (David Broza, Yusef lateef, Patti Austin, Fuse One, Ray Barratto, ITS, Sleepy Matsumoto, Pacific Orchestra, Puleo, Richard Stoltzman, Ofra Harnoy)
• Rick Strauss - Writer, Guitar (Jeff Jarvis)
• John Tropea - Guitars (Lalo Schifrin, Hollywood Vampires, T-Bone Walker, Deodato, Ashford & Simpson, Harry Chapin, Peter Allen, Bo Diddley, Janis Ian, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Aztec Two Step, Dionne Warwick, Sister Sledge, Paul Simon, David Ruffin, Al Stewart, Alice Cooper, Melba Moore, Laura Nyro, Phoebe Snow, Frankie Valli, Ringo Starr, Roberta Flack, Meco, Taj Mahal, Good Rats, Dr John, Tim Curry, Barbara Streisand, Tommy James, Tony Orlando, Randy Vanwarmer, John Mayall, Kurtis Blow, Spinners, Sylvester, Peter Baumann, Chuck Mangione, Gloria Gaynor, Irene Cara, Yoko Ono, Fuse One, Epo, John Lennon, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Liza Minnelli, more)
• Jim Kurzdorfer - Bass (Birthright, Jaman, Rick Strauss, Bobby Millitello, Jeff Jarvis)
• Rubens Bassini - Congas, Percussion, Timbales, Bongos (Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, E Os 11 Magnificos, Sergio Mendes, NY-LA Dream Band, Deodato, Stanley Turrentine, Bette Midler, Laura Nyro, Chuck Mangione, Stan Getz, Don McLean, Judy Collins, Jimmy McGriff, Janis Ian, Nils Lofgren, Garland Jeffreys, Maynard Ferguson, Michael Zager Band, Breakwater, Carly Simon, Average White Band, Herbie Mann, The Force, Orleans, Spinners, Ohio Players, Take Five, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Yoko Ono, Miami Sound Machine, Gloria Estefan,     more)
• David Samuels - Marimba, Steel Drum, Vibraphone (Caribbean Jazz Project, Double Image, Gallery, Gerry Mulligan, Pat Metheny Group, Paul McCandless, Gary Marks, Frank Zappa, Four Tops, Rare Silk, Maureen McGovern, David Broza, Joe Beck, Edie Brickell, Jon Secada, Howard Shore, Steve Vai, Rita Coolidge, Chet Baker  more)
• Will Lee - Bass (Band Of Other Brothers, BFD, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Eric Doney, Flying Monkey Orch, Gary Burton. Hiram Billock, John Blackwell, Metro, Paul Shaffer, The 24th St Band, Gary Schreiner, Worlds Most Dangerous Band more)
• Steve Jordan - Drums (John Mayer, Keith Richards & the X-Pensive Winos, 24th St Band, Blues Brothers band, LaVettes, The Steves, Masura Imada, Neil Young, Little Steven, Feargal Sharkey, Don Henley Bernie Worrell, Neville Bros, Johnnie Johnstone, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Southside Johnny & Asbury Jukes, David Sanborn, Booket T & MGs, Robert Cray, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Buddy Guy, Rod Stewart, Solomon Burke, Boz Scaggs, Verbs, Patti Austin, Taj Mahal, Spinozza, Melanie, Herbie Mann, Ashford & Simpson, Cat Stevens, Imperials, Randy Vanwarmer, Donald Fagen, George Benson, John Mayall, Mark Knopfler, Bonnie Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Arcadia, Aretha Franklin, Rolling Stones, Pretencers, Fats Domino, Brian Setzer, Toto, Steve Khan, Chuck berry, Aztec Camera, Bob Dylan, Ivan Neville, Steely Dan more)
• Randy Brecker - Trumpet (Andy LaVerne, Art Blakey, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Chroma, CTI All Stars, Dalia Faitelson, Das Pferd, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Groinick, Duke Pearson, Farberius, GRP All Stars, Hal Galper, Harlem River Drive, Jaco Pastorius, Kerry Strayer, Loren Schoenberg, Man Doki Soulmates, Marc Copland, Mike Mainieri, Milky Way, Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, NY All Stars, Pond Life, Renolds Jazz Orch, Roif Kuhn, Ron McClure, Brecker BrosDavid Liebman, Domenic Troiano, Eleventh House, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, George Gruntz, Horace Silver,  Jack Wilkins, Jamie Baum, Jazz Composers Orch, White Elephant, Woody Witt so much more)
• Michael Brecker - Tenor Sax (Black Light Orch, Bob Mintzer, Buddy Love, Don Grolnick, Dreams, Flying Monkey Orch, Hal Galper, Harris Simons, Harvie S & Eye Contact, Herbie Hancock, Man Doki Soulmates, Mke Mainieri, Mike Nock, People, Rainbow, Sax Summit, Stardrive, Steps Ahead, Brecker Brothers, NY All Stars, Players Assoc., SNL Band, White Elephant, Wolfgang Schalk Bandett, Ringo Starr, Roger Voudouris, Mongo Santamaria much more)
• Ted Reinhardt - Drums (Dave Constantino, Dick Bauerle, Gamalon, Puleo, Norm Paolini, Melanie, Gloria Loring, Pete Howard, John Valby, Ernie Watts)
• John Clark - French Horn (Bob Mintzer, Franz Koglmann, George Russell, Gil Evans, Grachan Moncur III, Jimmy Knepper, Manhattan Jazz Orch, Marty Ehrlich, McCoy Tyner, Michael Legrand, Opera House Ensemble, Paul Winter, Earth Band, Carla Bley, George Gruntz, Mike Gibbs, Winter Consort, Tilt Brass Band, David Sanborn, Chuck Mangione, Meco, David Spinozza, Breakwater, Chaka Khan, Musique, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Ashford & Simpson, TS Monk, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Sheena Easton, Joe Jackson, Miles Davis, Expose, David Byrne, Sinead O'Connor, Sting, Jill Evans, Pat Metheny, LL Cool J, Barbara Streisand, Bonnie Raitt, John Secada, Trans-Siberian Orch more)
• Tom Schuman - Piano, Rhodes, Synth (Blair, Birthright, Yusef Lateef, Gamalon, Marek Niedzwiecki, Steve Oliver, Chuck Loeb, Roberto Vally, Sandeep Chowta, Jeff Kashiwa)
• Eli Konikoff - Drums (Dick Bauerle, Stan & the Ravens, Jeff Jarvis)
• Gerardo Velez - Congas, Bongos, Percussion (We Are Family Collective, Claude Dubois, Orleans, Puleo, John Philip, The Shakes, Kenny Rankin, Andrea Dante Marchesini, Martha Velez, Jill Sobule, Toshinobu Kubota. Chic, David Bowie, Neal Black, Joe Lynne Turner, Patty Smyth, Santana, Marek Niedzwiecki, Nile Rodgers)
• Suzanne Ciani - Synth (NeoTantrik, Starland Vocal Band, Elliot Randall, Meco, Philippe Wynne. Yusef Lateef, Cindy & Ron, Alien, Art Farmer, Fuse One, Ray Barretto, Steve Kindler, Meco, Patti Austin, Jane Weaver, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith)
• Lani Groves - Vox  (Stevie Wonder, Rick Derringer, Johnny Hammond, Michael Stanley, Johnny Winter, Kenny Rankin, Carly Simon, Bill Cosby, Michael Bolotin, Ben E. King, Bob James, Roberta Flack, Budy Rich, Albert King, Blood Sweat & Tears, Lee Oskar, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mayard Ferguson, Joe Cocker, Pee Wee Ellis, Candi Station, Buddy Rich, Patti Austin, Burt Bacharach, Harry Belafonte, David Sanborn, Frankie Valli, Nils Logfren, 38 Special, Kenny Loggins, Billy Joel, Meco, Tony Orlando, Lemon, Quincy Jones, Golden Earring, Gotham, Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Blondie, George Benson, Leonard Cohen, Talking Heads, Stevie Wonder, Jude Cole, Ronnie Spector, Aztec Camera, Carly Simon, Diana Ross, Peter Wolf, David Bowie, Billy Ocean, James Taylor, LaToya Jackson, Phoebe Snow, Eric Clapton, Grace Jones, Dionne Warwick, Bad Company, Foreigner, Dr. John, Bette Midler,  many)
• Diva Gray - Vox (Change, Chic, Lemon, Harlettes, Roy Buchanan, Love Symphony Orch, Teresa Wiater, T.Life, David Spinozza, Major Harris, Phyllis Hyman, Joe Thomas, Meco, James Montgomery, Ray Barretto, Atlantic Family, Jimmy Ponder, Garland Jeffreys, Sambu Soul, Gregg Diamond, Norma Jean, Richard T. Bear, Kiss, Ramona brooks, Duke Jupiter, Euclid Beach Band, Felix Cavaliere, Samantha Sand, Kikio, Roundtree, NYC band, Spyro Gyrsa, B.Baker Chocolate Co, Gotham, Markena Shaw, Toru Oki Blues Band, Herbie Mann, Paul Evans, Bette Midler, Wilbert Longmire, Sister Sledge, John Tropea, Ray Gomez, Cousin Ice, Rhetta Hughes, Wilbert Longmire, George Benson, Marshall Tucker Band, Steely Dan, Leon Bryant, David Sanborn, Silence, High Fashion, Roberta Flack, Weather Girls, Junior, Marcus Miller, Damaris, Peabo Bryson, Talking Heads, Paul Habara, Brian Setzer, David Bowie, Steps Ahead, Ann Anello, Ronnie Spector, Cindy Valentine, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Scritti Politti, Myleka, Jorn Hoel, Linda Eder, Andreas Vollenweider, Charlie Sexton, Grace Jones, Natasha's Brother, Julien Clerc, Maggie's Dream, Hen-Gee & Evil-E, Debbie Gibson, Judy Collins, Marc Cohn, Tony Verderosa, Dr, John, John Tropea, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Spin Doctors, BB King, Patricia Kiss, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Horii Katsumi, Elton John, Jewel, Natalie Cole, Herbie Mann, Janis Siegel, Marilyn, R,. Kelly, Elaine Elias, Kiss, Joe Lynn Turner, Surtek Collective, Jennifer Rush)
• Gordon Grody - Vox (Silence, Zinc, Lemon, David Spinozza, Kiss, Vicki Sue Robinson, Meco, Janis Ian, Steely Dan, Debbie Harry, Garland Jefferies, Judy Collions, Irene Cara, Donald Fagan, Yoko Ono, John Lennon, Melissa Manchester, Fatback, Carly Simon, Peabo Bryson, Patti Austin, George benson, Talking Heads, Belouis Some, Ben E King, Aztec Camera, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Bonham, Frankie Valli, Change, Jennifer Rush)
• Tom Malone - Trombone (Black Light Orch. Blood Sweat & Tears, Child is Father to Man, Gil Evans, Orquesta palenque, Ten Wheel Drive, Blues Brothers Band, Brass Attack horns, Monday Night Orch, RCO All-Stars, SNL band, Tom Bones Malone, World's Most Dangerous Band, Woody Herman, North Texas Lab Band, Janis Ian, Mongo Santamaria, David Sanborn, Aztec Two-Step, Chuck Mangione, Buddy Rich, Jimmy McGriff, Meco, The Band, Levon Helm, Frank Zappa, Average White band, Michael Zager band, Carly Simon, Instant Funk, BB King, Meat Loaf, J. eils Band, Malo, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Tyler, Lou Reed, Chaka Khan, Steve Windwood, Joe Jacksom, David Byrne, Paul Shaffer, Bruce Willis, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Willy DeVille, james Brown, Rick Derringer, Mandrill, Culture Club, BJ Thomas, Joss Stone, Tom Jones, Tori Amos, more)
• Lew Del Gatto - Flute (Tony Bennet, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, Bette Midler, Caj Tjader, Quincy Jones, Stanley Turrentine, Buddy Guy, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, NY Neophonic Orch, Liza Minnelli, Johnny Winter, Gloria Gaynor, Frankie Valli, Manhattan Transfer, Jimmy McGriff, Ringo Starr, Meco, J. Geils Band, Average White Band, Ben E King, Trini Lopez, Levon Helm, Aerosmith, Carly Simon, Tina Turner, Ian Hunter, Amy Grant, Chaka Khan, Blues Brothers, Meat Loaf, George Benson, Steve Winwood, Laurie Anderson, Mariah Carey, David Byrne, Yoko Ono  more)
• Harry Lookofsky - Violin (Al Cohn, Gil Evans, NBC Symph Orch, Ahmad Jamal, Quincy Jones, Cal Tjader, Wes Montgomery, Connie Francis, Blood Sweat & Tears, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, Mongo Santamaria, Grover Washington Jr, Deodato, Roy Ayers, Don McLean, David Ruffin, Janis Ian, Bette Midler, Patti Austin, Peter Allen, Bionic Boogie  many)
• Matthew Raimondi - Violin (Central Park Strings, New Music String Quart, Pond Life, Composers Quartet, Love Symph orch, James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Don McLean, Grover Washington Jr, Herbie Mann, Blood Sweat & Tears, Patti Austin, Bette Midler, Bob James, Peter Allen, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, David Spinozza, Sesame Street, Carly Simon, Meco, Chaka Khan, Stevie Nicks, Joe Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Lenny Kravits, O'jays, Chic, Sinead O'Connor, Bananarama, Cuba Gooding, LL Cool J, Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan, Philip Bailey, PM Dawn, Backstreet Boys, Maxwell, Ricky Martin, John Lennon more)
• Harry Cykman - Violin (Shirley Scott, Freddie hubbard, Billie Holiday, Grover Washington, Judy Collins, Rupert Holmes, Deodato, Don mcLean, Milt Jackson, Stanley Turrentine, Janis Ian, Hubert Laws, Joe Beck, Frankie Valli, Bob James, Blood Sweat & Tears, Peter Allen, Tymes, Maynard Ferguson, Roundtree, Meco, Stevie Nicks more)
• Charles Libove - Violin (Beaux Arts String Quartet, Centrsal park Strings, Columbia Symph Prch, Paganini Quartet, Marlboro Trio, Philharmonic Trio, Sarah Vaughn, Herbie Mann, Wes Montgomery, James Brown, Grover Washington Jr,  more)
• Alfred Brown - Viola (Hip String Quartet, Soa, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Herbie Mann, Nat Adderley, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, Mongo Santamaria, Edgar Winter, Shirley Bassey, Grover Washington Jr, Roy Ayers, Deodato, Don McLean, Janis Ian, Sister Sledge, Peter Allen, Tyme more)
• Charles McCracken - Cello (Hugo Montenegro, Oliver Nelson, Quincy Jones, Wes Montgomery Herbie Mann, Nat Adderley, Connie Francis, Electric Flag, Blood Sweat & Tears, Roberta Flack, Louis Armstrong, T-Bone Walker, Roy Ayers, Gabor Szabo, Deodato, Stanley Clarke, Don McLean, Milt Jackson  more)
• Larry Fast - Synth Programming (Synergy, Fire INC., Tony Levin Band, Deodato, Sylvia, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Stephen Dees, Martha Velez, Nektar, Intergalactic Touring Band, Peter Gabriel, Stormin' Norman & Suzy, Odyssey, American Standard Band, Tommy James, Hall & Oats, Kate Bush, Boz Scaggs, Meatloaf, Foreigner, Air Supply, John Denver, Bonnie Tyler, Joan Armatrading, Barbara Streisand, Rick Springfield, Serge Gainsbourg  more)
• Richard Calandra - Producer
• David Heffernan - Cover & Back Artwork
• Jack Malken - Recording, Mixing Engineer
• Michael Barry - Recording, Mixing Engineer
• Candice Munson - Asst Engineer
• Darroll Gustamachio  - Asst Engineer
• Jason Corsaro - Asst Engineer
• Lawrence Swist - Recording Engineer
• Mick Guzauski - Recording Engineer
• Charlie Conrad - Recording Engineer
• Rick Rowe - Editing

Unknown-ness: I've heard the name Spyro Gyra before but never in any genre context. I guess i always assumed they were like Procol Harum or 10cc (not sure why those two bands, as they are not really alike), perhaps because they have similar artwork sometimes, and were from the same general time frame. But really, i don't know what SG sounds like at all. 

Album Review: Definitely a Jazz Fusion band, with its name coming from a green algae spelled Spirogyra. This album is certified Platinum as of 1987, and has strong charting success as does the single "Morning Dance," which has a nice blend of Caribbean elements with dance-able jazz.  The revolving door of musicians makes sense for a band as large and complex as Spyro Gyra, but the core has always been Beckenstein and Schuman. "Jubilee" incorporates some nice funk and jammy roots rock to a baseline of smooth sax jazz.

Stand Out Track: Jubilee

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Section (the) - Fork It Over

Name: The Section
Album: Fork it Over
Year: 1977
Style: Jazzy Rock, Fusion, Funk, Prog, Light Rock
Similar Bands: Brand X
"One-Word" Review: Pitch Perfect Smooth Jazzy Prog.
Based Out Of: Los Angeles, CA
Label: EMI, Capitol

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve Notes, Record

Fork It Over (1977)

1. Suckers On Parade 3:47
2. LA Changes 5:25
3. Street Pizza 4:07
4. Hamsters of Doom 4:30
5. Bad Shoes 2:49 /
6. Moon Over Fontana 5:30
7. Rainbows 4:34
8. White Water 2:55
9. Magnetic Lady 5:41

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Russ Kunkel - Drums, Vox, Percussion (James Taylor, Carol King, Jackson Brown, Carly Simon, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Lyle Lovett, Meatjack, Spinal Tap, Things to Come more)
• Leland Sklar - Bass (Phil Collins, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Wolfgang, Vince Gill, Barefoot Servants, Diana Ross, Hall & Oats, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Group Therapy, Suzy Bogguss more)
• Craig Doerge - Keys, Moog (James Taylor, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Sion & Garfunkel, Henske, Keepin' 'Em Off the Streets, Rosebud, more)
• Danny Kortchmar - Guitars, Field Drums (Don Henley, James Taylor, Carol King, The City, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Harry Nilsson, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Attitudes, Jo Mama, King Bees, Slo Leak, Flying Machines, Yesca, more)
• Steve Forman - Percussion (Friendship, Eclectic Mouse, Topsy Turbys, Ray Manzarek, REO Speedwagon, Kim Carnes, Loggins & Messina, Sergio Mendes, Al Jarreau, more)
• Jim Horn - Sax, Flute, Piccolo (Duane Eddy, George's Band, His Dynamite Horn Section, Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Kip Tyler & the Flips, Lalo Schifrin, The Rebels, Shelter People more)
• Chuck Findley - Trumpet (Alf Clausen Jazz Orch, Buddy Rich Big Band, Don menza, Findley Bros, High Voltage, Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Klaus Weiss, L'il Jack Horn Sect. James Last, Peter Herbolzheimer, Ernie Watts more)
• Judy Henske - Lyrics
• James Taylor - Vox (Yo Yo Ma, Flying Machine, Mitchell/Taylor Boy Girl Choir, Simon-Taylor Family other acts)
• Joe Lala - Congas Timbales, Percussion (Blues Image, Manassas, Pacific Gas & Electric, Steve Rucker, Byrds, Stills-Young Band more)
• David Sanborn - Sax, Lyricon (Bob Mintzer, Gil Evans, Chaos Choir, Domenic Troiano, NY All Stars, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Players Association, SNL band, World's Most Dangerous Band, More)
• David Crosby - Vox (CPR, CNSY, Les Baxter's balladeers, Beefeaters Byrds, Jet Set, Red Hots other acts)
• Roy Kohara - Art Direction
• Dave Willardson - Illustration
• Jim Shea - Photos
• Matt Hyde- Prcording , Mixing Engineer
• Rick Moody - Asst. Engineer
• Skip Saylor - Asst. Engineer
• Michael Boshears - Asst. Engineer
• Wally Traugott - Mastering
• Ian Underwood - Oberheim Knowledge

Unknown-ness: never heard of this band, but the front and back artwork support their band name (section of the record) and album name, since the section of the record cut is being forked over. Based on the mellow longhair band picture on the back, i imagine this will be some southern bluesy rock or powerpop, perhaps a bit snarky with their all-in concept album from name to imagery. 

Album Review: So this is a mostly acid jazz fusion band with prog rock. Mostly instrumentals with some high profile vocalists in James Taylor and David Crosby on one song each (the last track on each side of the album). They were basically the house band for anyone recording with Asylum Records, nicknamed the Mellow Mafia- based solely on their musical style: not their energetic stage presence and chaotic lifestyles. Together and or independently, these four helped shaped the all star careers of Carly Simon, Carole King, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Don Henley, Linda Ronstadt and Phil Collins. They propelled the main acts live shows into superstar status, and helped write many of their biggest hits. They were a respected force as a group, and it would not have been possible for Jackson Browne to record his all-new, all-live album Running on Empty without them on tour for the three weeks it took to compile, during the same year this album came out.

Stand Out Track: Street Pizza

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Rare Air - Hard to Beat

Name: Rare Air
Album: Hard to Beat
Year: 1987
Style: Celtic Bagpipe Instrumentals, Smooth Jazz
Similar Bands: Cheiftans, Enya, Celtic Thunder, 
"One-Word" Review: Windswept Irish Countryside
Based Out Of: Toronto, Canada
Label: Green Linnet Records

Cover, Liner Notes, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

Hard to Beat (1987)

1. Tribal Rites 2:24
2. Taxi Suite 6:10
3. Inside Out 7:08
4. Small as Life 5:36 /
5. Marvin's March (For Marvin Gaye) 2:42
6. The Waiting Room 5:38
7. Dee Dee Diddley Bop 4:23
8. Onward Blindly Onward 4:03
9. Beam Me up 4:05

Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Dave Hillier - Recording, Mixing, Producer, Drum Program
• Ellison Robertson - Cover Painting
• Michael Foster - Cover Photos
• Karl Martens - Cover Design & Layout
• George Balderose - Artistic Manager
• Pat O'Gorman - Highland Bagpipes, 'D' Flute, Biniou-koz, 'Eb' Flute, Bagpipes (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Chalk Circle, Mychael Danna, Casadh An Tsugain, Howard Baer, )
• Grier Coppins - Synth, Highland Bagpipes, Bombarde, Whistle, Bagpipes (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Bernie Martin, Muchael Danna, Jaron Freeman-Fox, Al Tuck)
• Dick Murai - Guitar, Bass, Drum Program, Bells, Vega Tenor Lute (Na Cabarfeidh)
• Trevor Ferrier - Roto Toms, Brass Drum, Percussion, Clay Drums, Bells, Shakere, Snare Drums, Tabla, Long Drums (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Jane Siberry, Pat Kilbride, Kalimba Kalimba, David Essig, Njacko Backo)
• 'Truck Croteau - Bouzouki
• Tom Coyne - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the packaging is odd, as you flip the record over, not from right to left to correctly view the back. From the cover art work, and the ransom letter font on the side A Front, and the multicultural + bagpipe cover on the back, i want to believe this is some interesting indie punk, but i believe it will be more college radio, jangley rock, based on the year. 

Album Review: This is straight up instrumental, bagpipe heavy jazzy soundscapes. There is a little Asian influence and some middle eastern theme in the music too, so it does not always just carry a Celtic feel. On this record Marvin's March & Dee Dee... are both homages to African American culture. Most of the songs feel like jigs and ceremonial songs. The instrumentation is mostly performed on old world devices. They continued to divert to alternate directions, and after this album and the departure of two members, they headed into the direction of Jazz Fusion.

Stand Out Track: Onward Blindly Onward

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Puzzle - The Second Album

Name: Puzzle
Album: The Second Album
Year: 1974
Style: Motown, R&B, Prog-Jazz fusion, Funk, Blood Sweat & Tears, 
Similar Bands: Stevie Wonder, Chicago
"One-Word" Review: Multi-Genre Doo-Wop Proggers
Based Out Of: Chicago
Label: Motown

Cover, Record

Back, Record

The Second Album (1974)

1. You Took Me Wrong 4:10
2. Mary Mary 3:21
3. State of Mind 4:12
4. Everybody Wants to Be Somebody 3:21
5. Haiku 5:28 /
6. My Love 3:51
7. Now That You Love Me 4:13
8. Concept of Her 8:25
1. Prelude
2. A Moment's Rest
3. Visions
9. NYC 3:40

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob Cullen - Producer
• Bobby Scott - String Arrangement
• Hank Cicalo - Engineer
• Linda Tyler - Recordist
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Norman Seeff - Photography & Design
• Pelev Palombi - Illustration
• John LiVigni - Drums, Vox, Percussion (John Valenti, John Edward Beland)
• Anthony Siciliano - Bass 
• Joseph Spinazola - Piano Organ (John Valenti)
• Bobby Villalobos - Lead Guitar 
• Ralf Richert - Guitar, Trumpet (Don Randi, Vinny Golia, Windfall, James Vincent, LA Jazz Ensemble, Freddy Henry, Jack Miller, Cook Country, King Errisson, Crusaders. Hiromi Iwasaki, Calypso Rose, Ollie Mitchell, Cold Fire, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Roby Duke, BUrning Sensations, Kazu Matsui, Pearl, Bonedaddys, Yanni, Nicky Holland, John Miles, Neil Diamond, Nathan Cavaleri, Dianne Reeves, Paula Abdul, Porno For Pyros, Windows,Thom Rotella, Christopher Franke, James Iha, Larry klimas, Marek Niedzwiecki, Devo, George Benson, Karizma, Caldera, Les DeMerle)
• Bob Williams - Trumpet, Wind Chimes
• Larry Klimas - Sax, Flute (Dream Patrol, Karizma, Potato Salad, Toolbox, Tom Hensley, James Vincent, King Errisson, Hiromi Iwasaki, Calypso Rose, John Valenti, Daniel Goldberg, Pino Marrone, Kazu Matsui Project, War, Renaud, Claire Severac, Luis Conte, Miki Asakura, LA Keyboard Project, Dickies, Visiting Kids, Liquid Jesus, Recollections, Karen Knowles, Charles Dumont, Sam Sklair, Lesley Olsher, Neil Diamond, Steve Lukather,. Manhattan Transfer, Rick Braun, Luis Conte, Suicide Machines, David Garfield, Lee Oskar, Robert Williams, Divididos, Bob Conti, Arthur Barrow, Devo, Melora, George Cables, Chicago, Robert Lamm, Azure McCall, Elton John, Thelma Houston, The Mar Visiting Philharmonic, PG & Frank, Robby Krieger, Mike Porcaro, Dan Fornero, Gerry Beckley, Alex Ligertwood, America)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Puzzle, but from the cover and distorted, stretched band image on the back, my best guess is this is totally a prog band. Even if it is on Motown...well, maybe there is some doo-wop included in the prog, which sounds very intriguing.

Album Review: This album splits the difference, where some songs are blue-eyed soul & R&B motown sound, and others are jazzy prog or straight up jazz. But there is not much cross over, each track is a stand alone style. "Everybody Wants to Be Somebody" has a trumpet section that sounds like "Lean On Me." They are an all-white jazzy soul band that didn't quite fit the typical Motown sound, but were released on the Motown label rather than one of the related labels like Rare Earth (which was the original intention). They were a popular live band between Chicago & Detroit, so geographically, Motown made sense. Bandleader LiVigni changed his name to Valenti after Puzzle to pursue a solo career.

Stand Out Track: You Took Me Wrong

Links:

Youtube full album
LiVigni/Valenti Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

rate your music

soulful detroit

quora

soulstrut community

motown encyclopedia puzzle page

Steve Khan - Arrows

Name: Steve Khan
Album: Arrows
Year: 1979
Style: Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Brand X, Brecker Brothers Band
"One-Word" Review: Elevator Waiting Room 'Zac
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Columbia, CBS,

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Arrows (1979)

1. City Suite 11:42
1. City Monster Pt 1 5:32
2. Dream City Pt 2 6:10
2. Candles 6:52 /
3. Daily Village 6:37
4. Some Arrows 5:45
5. Calling 6:23

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Khan - Composer, Electric Guitar, Producer, Mixing (Chantays, Friends of Distinction, Larry Coryell, Brecker Brothers, Ashford & Simpson, Rupert Holmes, Billy Joel, Steely Dan, Eyewtiness, Joe Zawinul's Weather Update, Caribbean Jazz Project, Atmospheres, Blood Sweat and Tears, Elements, Farberius, Flying Monkey Orchestra, Man Doki Soulmates, People, Steps Ahead, Mendoza/Mardin Project, NY All Stars, Players Association More)
• Michael Brecker - Sax (Black Light Orch, Bob Mintzer, Buddy Love, Don Grolnick, Dreams, Flying Monkey Orch, Hal Galper, Harris Simons, Harvie S & Eye Contact, Herbie Hancock, Man Doki Soulmates, Mke Mainieri, Mike Nock, People, Rainbow, Sax Summit, Stardrive, Steps Ahead, Brecker Brothers, NY All Stars, Players Assoc., SNL Band, White Elephant, Wolfgang Schalk Bandett, Ringo Starr, Roger Voudouris, Mongo Santamaria much more)
• Steve Gadd - Drums (Bill Watrous, Blicher Hemmer Gadd, Chuck Mangione, Clinque, David Matthews, Lalo Schifrin, Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Mike Mainieri, Rainbow, Return to Forever, Stardrive, Steps, Stuff, Superfriends, Boys from Rochester, Chick Corea, Clams, Family of Mann, Gadd Gang, Gaddabouts, NY All Stars, NY-LA Dream band, White Elephant much more)
• Don Grolnick - Organ, Keys (Dreams, Steps, Steps Ahead, Bob Mintzer, James Taylor, Brecker Bros., 10 Wheel Drive, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Harry Chapin, Barry Manilow, BJ Thomas, Cleo Laine, Melissa Manchester, more)
• David Sanborn - Alto Sax (Bob Mintzer, Gil Evans, Chaos Choir, Domenic Troiano, NY All Stars, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Players Association, SNL Band, Worlds's Most Dangerous Band, Paul Schaffer, Stevie Wonder, BB King, Todd Rundgrend more)
• Elliot Scheiner - Producer, Engineer, Mixing 
• Christine Martin - Production Coordinator
• Doug Epstein - Engineer
• Errol "Crusher" Bennett - Percussion (Michel Legrand & Co. Salsoul Orch, Melba Moore, Betty Davis, Bill Withers, Peaches & Herb more)
• Randy Brecker - Trumpet (Andy LaVerne, Art Blakey, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Chroma, CTI All Stars, Dalia Faitelson, Das Pferd, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Groinick, Duke Pearson, Farberius, GRP All Stars, Hal Galper, Harlem River Drive, Jaco Pastorius, Kerry Strayer, Loren Schoenberg, Man Doki Soulmates, Marc Copland, Mike Mainieri, Milky Way, Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, NY All Stars, Pond Life, Renolds Jazz Orch, Roif Kuhn, Ron McClure, Brecker BrosDavid Liebman, Domenic Troiano, Eleventh House, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, George Gruntz, Horace Silver,  Jack Wilkins, Jamie Baum, Jazz Composers Orch, White Elephant, Woody Witt so much more)
• Will Lee - Bass (Band Of Other Brothers, BFD, Bob Mintzer, Child is Father to the Men, Eric Doney, Flying Monkey Orch, Gary Burton. Hiram Billock, John Blackwell, Metro, Paul Shaffer, The 24th St Band, Gary Schreiner, Worlds Most Dangerous Band more)
• Rick Marotta - Drums (Brethren, Noght, Ronin, Yesca, James Taylor, Al Kooper, Warren Zevon, Yoko Ono, Don McLean, Hall & Oates  more)
• Jeff Mironov - Guitar (Flying Monkey Orch, Writers, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Rush, Gloria Gaynor, Richie Havens, Jimi Hendrix, Frankie Valli, Peter Nero, Gary Glitter, Ben E King more)
• Rob Mounsey - Synth (Flying Monkey Orch, Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, Spyro Gyra, Carly Simon, Michael Franks, Donny Osmond, Aaron Neville, Roberta Flack  more)
• Jean-Michel Folon - Art

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Steve Khan. I like the artwork, reminds me of native american art with a lot of energy thanks to the arrows. My guess is this is overthought, conceptual new wave, but an act that had a good sound at the same time.

Album Review: So this is jazz fusion, akin to Brand X or many dentist office soundtracks or elevators, even. Maybe some 80's tv shows that never made it out of pilot status. Khan is recognized for his groundbreaking expertise in Latin Jazz Guitar work and received two Grammy nominations. He called this album the last attempt to keep the sound of fellow contributors, the Breker Brothers' band going.

Stand Out Track: Some Arrows

Links:
website
wikipedia
discogs
allmusic
all about jazz
the last miles: interview
vintage guitar
spotify album