WE KNEW WHAT WE HAD: THE GREATEST STORY NEVER TOLD This was too interesting not to pass along. I originally received a link from Marc Myers, @jazzwax , in his daily newsletter. I’d read about George Benson’s youth and development around the clubs in Pittsburgh from his autobiography, “Benson”. It’s a fascinating read, but without context, doesn’t reflect how remarkable […]
Three Brothers Records
The label Creed didn’t produce In 1973, Creed Taylor International(CTI), had a second go at a pop-label, this time Three Brothers Records. This was essentially an inhouse imprint or subsidiary. Apart from providing a business structure, licensing, copyright etc. Creed is not known to have played any role in the music. Without being able to ask Creed, or Tony Romeo, […]
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 […]
Happy Halloween – Shock
It’s that time of year again, Halloween. Enjoy a track from the 1958 album “Shock” by the Creed Taylor Orchestra. SHOCK The Creed Taylor OrchestraNew York City: c. 1958Kenyon Hopkins (arr, cond).ABC Paramount ABC/ABCS-259 (issued November 1958) Track-1 from Side-B, “Haunted House” 3:01 Released in November 1958, while “Shock” is billed as by The Creed Taylor Orchestra, it is in fact […]
Record Store Day 2020 – dot.next
Record Store Day 2020 turned into three days due to Covid-19, and a fourth day is coming. Black Friday 2020 is November 27th. Currently there are some 133 releases scheduled for that day, including a few of interest. The releases are the usual spread of old tracks never released, tracks remixed, and live performances, and a few compilations. Many are […]
Evolution of a track: Love Theme From Spartacus
Cathcam · Love Theme From Spartacus – Press Play Love Theme From Spartacus Not a CTI artist, not produced by Creed Taylor but something that has evolved from an instrumental movie track, to a jazz classic, to an amazing soulful song and a chillout classic. Today’s post looks at Love Theme from the film Spartacus by Alex north, how it […]
Stonebone – Finally!
If you don’t have a copy, press play and read on, it’s a 1:52 sampler of the album tracks I’m delighted to have an exclusive long form review from CTI and Jazz Historian Doug Payne. I’m lucky to have been able to rip a copy of this album from a loaner a couple of years ago. It’s amazing. I’m heading […]
On This Day: Mr Magic run ends
The October 23rd, 1975 issue of Jet Magazine was the last to list Grover Washington, Jr “Mister Magic” as #1 in their Soul Brother Jazz chart. The album had been #1 in their jazz chart for a remarkable 3-months. It first entered their chart in the August 15th issue, and on October 30th was replaced by the Crusaders “Chain Reaction” […]
CT 509
CT 509 Van Lingle Mongo – Dave Frishberg Side A: Van Lingle Mungo (2:45)Side B: Nasty Nasty Habit (2:25)(from Oklahoma Toad)Dave FrishbergIssues: CTI CT 509 [45]Master No.: CT 509 A/CT 509 BRecorded: Prob. late 1969. Associated Recording Studios in New York; CTI release re-engineered and overdubbed by Rudy Van Gelder, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.Released: Prob. August 15th, 1970; runout etchings on […]
CT 1000 – The “popular” label
This post is an outgrowth of a lot of material written originally for a review of Dave Frishberg’s Oaklahoma Toad album. It will be updated over time. Doug Payne says of this early CTI period: Creed Taylor left the auspices of A & M to initiate CTI as an independent entity in May 1970. This little known part of CTI’s history spanned […]