Cannonball Adderley "Pyramid", Fantasy Records 1974

Cannonball Adderley is definitely one of the pivotal figures in history of Jazz, from playing with Miles Davis in late 50s with such releases as "Milestones" and "Kind Of Blue" to leading his own group associating with talents like Joe Zawinul, Bobby Timmons, George Duke, Walter Booker, Charles Lloyd, and Yusef Lateef. He is master of soul-Jazz, and went to find successes with producing classic Jazz standards. His music was well-received with large audiences, due to his ability to cross over between Jazz and more funk, electric and R&B oriented styles of music. Especially, after moving to Capital Records and teaming up with Jazz-Funk producer David Axelrod from mid 60s, he had produced crossover Jazz releases that had met with listeners' taste during those years when psychedelic rock flourished (Beatles' "White Album", Jimi Hendrix Experience, and none of other Miles Davis "Bitches Brew".

Co-produced with Cannonball and Axelrod, this electric, groovy Jazz-funk album was released in 1974, a year before his sudden death. It is a year after Herbie Hancock released "Head Hunters". So maybe we can hear the influence and experiment in sounds from this album, personally not quite sure about his true intension on the recordings. It is very spacy feeling into each tracks, from ARP synth by George Duke who was playing on Frank Zappa's band around this time.

The album features electric sounds throughout most tracks, and lesser soloing from the man himself. The first track is groovy electric funk track, a perfect evidence of Axelrod's production style with heavy percussive beats and layers of sounds.

Personally, though all tracks are electric, fusion vibes, I like the last track "BESS , OH WHERE'S MY BESS", a ballad with more straight forward Jazz with just alto sax and piano. I think the song, style, mood suit him better in this way.

CD Reissue with audio samples

Personnel:
Julian Cannonball Adderley - Alto & Soprano Sax
Nat Adderley - Cornet
Hal Galper - Electric piano
Walter Booker - Bass
Roy McCurdy - Drums

plus
Phil Upchurch - Guitar
George Duke - Electric & Acoustic Clavinet, ARP Synthesizer
Jimmy Jones - Piano (on "BESS" only)

Tracklist:
Side A:
1. Phases (Hal Galper) (6:00)
2. My Lady Blue (Hal Galper) (4:45)
3. Books End (David Axelrod) (5:35)

Side B:
1. Pyramid (Julian Adderley) (3:40)
2. Suite Cannon (Julian Adderley)
1. The King & I (3:13)
2. Time In (4:41)
3. For Melvin Lastie (2:26)
3. BESS , OH WHERE'S MY BESS (G & I Gershwing) (3:36)

David Axelrod Official Site

Steve Reid "Nova", Mustevic, 1976

Steve Reid lives life in Jazz through generations, crossing path with many artists such as Miles Davis, Sun Ra, to James Brown, Fela Kuti and Chaka Khan. His presence has always remained in underground scene, where struggling Black music, particularly left-field, avant-garde Jazz did not find home in the US in the 70s.

This is Steve Reid "Nova", released by Mustevic in 1976. A classic record. Underground experimental, avand-garde Jazz hit. A true original sound. But that is because now people know and understand the musical spirit and dimensions this record produces, with reissues, new materials, supports from DJs such as Gilles Peterson and Benji B. It is good to see such living legend share us with his innovative and spiritual musical mastery today.

On personal story. I picked up this record without knowing anything about it. Same routine as usual, just looking at the cover, and decided to give it a try. At my home, I placed the record on the player, and groovy and wailing horn ensemble came out of speakers and just continued repeating this theme. The very odd record, but the groove stuck in my mind. Soon, I heard the track on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Basement, and shortly after he began taking that theme part for the opening of his radio show. And then, thanks to the power of Gilles, everyone know about the record. Soul Jazz decided to reissue "Nova", under their Universal Sounds label. Gilles invited him over to the show. And now, once a forgotten figure in Jazz world, Steve Reid is coming back, recording and releasing new materials, and collaborating with young artists such as Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet.

Personnel:
Steve Reid - Drums
Luis Angel Falcon - Acoustic Bass
Richard Williams - Fender Bass
Les Walker - Piano, Organ
Joe Rigby - Alto / Tenor / Soprano Sax
Ahmed Abdullah - Trumpet

Tracklist:

Side A:
1. Nova
2. Lions of Judah
3. Free Spirit Unknown

Side B:
4. Long Time Black
5. Sixth House

Steve Reid Official Site