Attention *** Joe Sample *** New *** Release

[polkatese]

Recorded in a New Orleans studio in May '05, top notch:

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=20003

A new rendition of "Soul Shadows" for Sample's fan.

Highly recommended!

[BlueMDPicker]

Cool! Thanks for the heads-up.

[DAGLJAM6]

Oh yeah!

[schwarcw]

Polkatese always has a good ear. I've bought several on his recommendations and never been disapointed.

[polkatese]

Thanks, Carl. On this album, the rendition of "One Day I'll Fly Away" is also very nice.

[Tour2ma]

Nice....

Blind bought my first Joe Sample when a local record store was selling its MFSL pressings in the bargain bin to make room for CD's. Good stuff...

[Dennis Gardner]

Enjoyed Joe for nearly 30 years Rainbow Seeker is still a reference LP of mine.
Piano has a way of breaking down lesser system with its dynamics.

[polkatese]

I haven't heard the LP version, but the redbook (CD) version is rather dissapointing (in terms of recording quality) compared to say, Pecan Tree

Having said that, Joe is the MAN! So far, Sample This IS my reference.

[Dennis Gardner]

The CD was a GRP remix wasn't it? My original LP was from ABC records.

[polkatese]

yep, 1996 GRP Blue Thumb.

[DAGLJAM6]

Pick up a copy of "Carmel" vinyl or cd still a great intro to him also. The first track grabs me every time.

[George Grand]

Joe Sample freaks may want to try and find the first Tom Scott & The L.A. Express release, "Express". The cover is just a nice looking pair of jeans with a belt buckle. Reverse side is another look at the same pair of jeans from the vantage point you would get as the jeans were walking away from you.

Joe Sample was the original keyboard man for the L.A. Express (same time he was in The Jazz Crusaders, late 60's early 70's). this is one of the very first jazz "fusion" albums, along with the stuff from Weather Report, Herbie Hancock's "Headhunters", the Chick Corea "Return to Forever" bands.

The rest of the line-up on Express is Tom Scott-horns, Larry Carlton-guitar,
Max Bennet-bass, and the incomparable John Guerin on MOST tasty drums.

This is the stuff that the band "Fourplay" would be based on (25 years later). It is also what Kenny G was HOPING he would be able to do. He didn't.

[polkatese]

Thanks, George. I will hunt it down. I've been also hunting down Harvey Mason's past albums. The guy can play drums as if it is a keyboard. Thanks again.

[George Grand]

I had the first Harvey Mason album on vinyl in another life.

Tell the truth, I kind of got bored with him after awhile. His playing was too sterile. He shot his load on "Headhunters", and that was around 1971 or 72. He was also CLEARLY in love with himself.

I can't listen to that Fourplay stuff. Don't expect the LA Express stuff to sound like Fourplay. It is much more spontaneous.

You might want to investigate the first couple Lee Ritenour albums. I have them on cd. Both released on Epic, the first was titled "First Choice" and the follow-up was "Captain Fingers". Harvey Mason is definitely on First Course, I can't remember about the other (I could always go look!).

The first couple Bob James albums from the early 70's weren't bad either, but then it just turned to smooth jazz dreck.

Look for another goody called "Threshold" by Pat Williams, and cue up the track Mr. Smoke. John Guerin is all over that.

I can't recommend the first two Tom Scott & The LA Express albums strongly enough (Express, and Tom Cat). There was also a third album, but Tom Scott had departed, and it is titled LA Express (Caribou Records). It's also good, but Tom Scott ain't there.

The LA Express went on to be Joni Mitchell's band on both the albums "Court and Spark" and "Miles of Aisles" (live). She also ended up living with Guerin for a number of years.

[George Grand]

Man, I just edited the above post with a BUNCH of great shit, but the way this shit system times out and logs you off just plain sucks, and it's out there in cyberspace somewhere.

[polkatese]

I'll sticky your post, George. Thank you for the write-up, on behalf of the few Sample's freak around here.

[George Grand]

Your welcome my friend. I'd sure like to see this system improved so that if I want to stay logged on all the time, I can. This timing out stuff just plain blows.

Late 60's and early 70's was a watershed time in New York City for music. All the guys that are old heads today, were hungry gunslingers back then.