Ramsey Lewis "Up Pops", Cadet 1967

For any jazz records, you cannot ignore the album cover, especially when the album has pop-oriented covers and R&B materials. But you never know what you come across until you actually listen to the record.

This is Ramsey Lewis "Up Pops", released by Cadet in 1967. The album is arranged by Richard Evans. First, it is Ramsey Lewis in 60s, with his soul-jazz and funky-jazz piano sound. If you like jazz-funk, jazz-pop, soul-jazz, and think that you need electric guitar and bass and vocal, full band outlet, you definitely want to listen to his albums. Ramsey Lewis is probably the one of a few pianist who can create soulful sound with trio.

Second, it's Cadet and it's Richard Evans. He is the leading arrangers and producers along with Charles Stepney at Argo/Cadet Records during this time. He conducts strings for the album. Having said that, jazz album with strings does not sound like a good mix, as if the whole album becomes mellow and too much pop-influenced (not much improvisation). But Richard Evans is not ordinary arranger. He brings lively, changing, heavy sound with strings. I have been listening to arrangements by Richard Evans quite often for some time now, and I highly recommend this album as the example of classic Cadet sound.


Ramsey Lewis: piano
Cleveland Eaton: bass
Maurice White: drums

Side 1

Soul Man
The Look of Love
Respect
Goin' out of My Head
Party Time

Side 2

Bear Mash
I Was Made to Love Her
Alfie
Why Am I Treated so Bad
Jade East