Smooth Groovers Podcast - Season 3 - Episode 16 - Special Jazz Funk Show
June 2nd, 2008 by Dr Groove
Welcome our latest exciting Season 3 Episode, this week a Jazz Funk Special.
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First up, the Dutch band: Blue Feather – The track first appeared on their 1982 Album ‘Feather Funk’ and on a 12″ single , this version, which comes from the 1994 Master Cuts compilation CD called ‘Classic Jazz Funk 5’ is listed as the original 12″ mix but is different form the 12 incher that Prof owned and is virtually all instrumental.
Willie Bobo - Here is a magnificent version from the late great American Jazz percussionist Willie Bobo. The track appeared on his Album ‘Hell Of An Act To Follow’ in 1978. In addition on the 993 CD entitled: DOIN’ IT connoisseur collection volume 4. The track was also recorded by Ronnie Laws, Side Effect and Incognito.
Fred Wesley (ft. James Taylor Quartet)
If you love the theme to Starsky and Hutch your going to love this blast from a jazz and funk trombonist, Bandleader, Arranger & composer, MUSICOLOGIST AND EDUCATOR, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s and 1970s. NB He is playing in London on June 14th 2008.
Ronnie Laws - Here’s a track from a gr8 saxophonist who began his solo career in the mid 70s with the album ‘Pressure Sensitive’ which has the awesome track ‘Always There’ we mentioned earlier. The track we featured is from his 1989 CD. True Spirit. NB Fans of his excellent 1980 vinyl album ‘Every Generation’ will be pleased to learn that in June 2005, after continued demand, the album was issued on CD , and that contains the title track which we played on season 3 episode 1, the Soul special. It also other gems like ‘Young Child’, and ‘Thoughts and Memories’. What a talented family the Laws are with Herbert, Ronnie and Debra!
Shakatak Check out their Myspace site too.
Here is a track from a British Jazz-Funk band who also had a few pop hits. They first hit the music scene in 1980 with a single called Steppin’, then a string of popular tunes like ‘Livin’ In The UK’ and ‘Easier said than done’.
Shakatak has enjoyed worldwide success and particular success in Japan. One of them winning the ‘Best Instrumental Album 1987’ at the Japanese Phonograph Record Association Awards. In the 90s they did very well in the U.S. with 2 albums at No 1 in the contemporary jazz charts. They also received the Japanese Grammy for best international instrumental album six years running. Since 2000 the band has continued to record and tour worldwide.
Jeff Tyzick – Let us move from the piano to the trumpet. This track is frm Jeff’s Album entitled: Smile and this is the title track.
The Crusaders
Check out their Myspace fansite too.
From the CD ‘And Beyond’ and also from the 1974 LP entitled: Southern Comfort. The band have been recording 1961. NB In their first decade they were known as the Jazz Crusaders .
Fuse One - As we approach the end of May 2008, summer is on the horizon, for the northern hemisphere anyway and the wedding season gets into full swing, Congratulations to Leoine and Ian who are getting married on Friday 13th June 2008, and as this episode is a Jazz-Funk special , we will play you something romantic on the next show in two weeks time. In the mean time here is a Jazz-funk track with a nice slow start and end, and some fast music in the middle.
Fuse one brought together some great musicians which included Joe Farrell , Ronnie Foster, Jeremy Wall, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell - Stanley Clarke , Lenny White -,Paulinho DaCosta, and many more. It is unbelievable that this track is 28 years old!
Lee Ritenour
Check out Lee’s Myspace site too.
Here is a great piece of fusion from Lee Ritenour’s 2006 CD - Smoke and Mirrors - Good to see the old 1976 Capt Fingers beat still going strong ! If you visit Lee’s website: you can see that he has got a busy summer ahead of him which includes performances in Switzerland for the Montreux Jazz Festival where he will perform as a part of the Quincy Jones Birthday Celebration. In addition, some exciting orchestra concerts that are being planned in the US and Japan. Let us also not forget a collaboration album with Dave Grusin entitled ‘Amparo’ scheduled for release this coming September.
Earth Wind and Fire
In the late 60s The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol, and called themselves the ‘Salty Peppers’. It was not too long before this evolved into the awesome worldwide innovative and hugely successful band, taking Jazz-Funk, soul and cross over pop to an exciting new level.
Conceived by drummer, bandleader, songwriter, kalimba player, and vocalist Maurice White. According to answers.com - Earth, Wind and Fire, founded by Maurice in 1969 were one of the most musically accomplished, critically acclaimed, and commercially popular funk bands of the ’70s.
That is it for another week. Looking back at all our shows we have had the opportunity to feature some amazing jazz-funk, from the talents of: Charles Earland, Level 42, Freeze, Incognito, George Duke, Charles Earland, Light of the World , Dennis Coffee, Crown Heights Affair, Roy Ayers, Ray Obeido, Fourplay and many more. Please do check out all of our past shows – they are still available from the ‘LISTEN/AUDIO’ tab.
Next time we are back to our regular format.
Take care.
The Doc and the Prof!
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