It’s Happy Birthday to David Matthews, although by the time I get this posted, today, Thursday March 4th, Dave’s birthday will have passed where he lives in Japan. If Bob James was my gateway drug to the music of Creed Taylor productions, David Matthews was definitely my drug of choice in the 1970’s. Many will know Dave’s work, certainly from […]
On This Day: First Light GRAMMY Award
Today, March 3rd, is the day to play your copy of #freddiehubbard First Light album. It was winner of the #grammys for Best Jazz performance by a group. Recorded 50 years ago this year, released 49 years ago and awarded 48 years ago. Almost ignored by critics at the time, First Light is one of the definitive Creed Taylor produced […]
CT 510
CT 510 Move Over / Right There When You Need It – Samson & Delilah Side A: Move Over (2:34)Side B: Right There When You Need It (2:37)Sampson & DelilahIssues: CTI CT 510 [45]Master No.: CT 510 A/CT 510 BRecorded: Probably October 1970, New York CityReleased: Two known US Pressings, both the white promo and first release Green label pressing […]
#Nowplaying: Nautilus
While “Mardi Gras” is probably Bob James most sampled, track, “Nautilus” is right up there with it. This post looks at a Record Store Day, 2020, re-issue of the classic track. If you missed, or were not lucky enough to win one of the test pressing that Evo gave away in social media competitions, it’s unlikely you’ll see one of […]
Happy Born Day – Chet Baker
Chesney Henry “Chet” Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988, Age 58) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations within the cool jazz subgenre leading him to be nicknamed the “prince of cool”. I have to admit, that while I know many of Chet recordings, I know very little about the man. […]
The Grover Washington Birthday Playlist
Playlist and notes for Happy Born Day: Grover Washington, Jr. – Creed Taylor Produced (ctproduced.com) # Title Artist Notes Time 1 Who Is Sylvia Johnny Hammond Recorded just a month after Grover’s “Inner City Blues” album, and before the album was released, Washington was again sideman to Hammond for his 2nd KUDU album “Johnny Hammond – Wild Horses Rock Steady […]
Happy Born Day: Grover Washington, Jr.
Unusually, I have two audio tracks to celebrate Grover Washington’s birthday. A full mix of tracks that Grover played on, I tried to pick less well known tracks rather than the GWJ classics. At the end of the post is retrospective by Christian McBride, show host of WBGO Jazz 88.3FM‘s JazzNight, and fantastic bass player himself. PRESS PLAY AND READ […]
The Creed Taylor Christmas Album
Press play and read on. The Missing Specialty Recordings album? I’ve always respected the fact that there was never a CTI Christmas album… or “holiday special”. Given the 1978 bankruptcy, it would have been easy money to have send a few talented musicians over to Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in New Jersey and get them to record some holiday classics. […]
CTI Enters Chapter XI Bankruptcy
“I’d rather laugh with the sinners, Than cry with the saints; The sinners are much more fun, You know that only the good die young” Billy Joel, Only The Good Die Young, 1978. On Saturday December 9th, 1978, Creed Taylor Inc. was listed in the New York Times financial section as applying for Chapter-11 bankruptcy protection. There, right above the […]
Happy Birthday, Hubert Laws
Hubert Laws (born November 10, 1939) is one of the most pervasive, and impressive artists to appear on Creed Taylor, CTI productions. While others, notably Bob James, Don Sebesky, and Dave Matthews through their arrangements had a bigger impact on the overall sound; and George Benson, Grover Washington, Jr, Esther Phillips, Bob James as a performer, became bigger stars and […]