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There’s a certain kind of jam to which mostly fellas respond. “Silly Putty” from the “Journey to Love” album on the Epic label 1977 is one them. A purely instrumental tune, it’s loaded with a funky attitude and Stanley Clarke’s approach is smokin’… with a vengance.

Previously, the acoustic/electric bass’ role was as an indistinct “fill” instrument relegated to the background, with a few exceptions. One had to listen quite closely to follow its’ musical contributions.

Stanley’s slap/pluck technique brings it front and center.

Complementing him is a supporting cast of jazz fusion allstars.
Chick Corea/George Duke on keyboards, John Mclaughlin/Jeff Beck/David Sancious on guitars. Lenny White/Steve Gadd on drums and percussion, and a real horn section, not synthesized comprised of John Faddis, Peter Gordon, Tom “Bones” Malone, Alan Rubin, Lew Soloff, and David Taylor, all integrated seamlessly.

Track Listing:

1. Silly Putty Clarke 4:40
2. Journey to Love Clarke, Geltman, Steinberg 4:54
3. Hello Jeff Clarke 5:16
4. Song to John Pt.1 Clarke, Corea 4:20
5. Song to John Pt.2 Clarke, Corea 6:05
6. Concerto for Jazz/Rock Orchestra, Pt. 1-4
Clarke 14:09

Personnel:

Jeff Beck Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
Earl Chapin Horn, Brass
John Clark Horn, Brass
Stanley Clarke Organ, Synthesizer, Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Arranger, Bass (Electric), Conductor, Gong, Guitar (Bass), Keyboards, Vocals, Multi Instruments, Bells, Producer, Bass (Acoustic), Piccolo Bass, Handbells
Chick Corea Piano, Keyboards
Bob Defrin Art Direction
George Duke Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Piano (Electric), Vocals, Clavinet, Moog Synthesizer, Bells, Arp, Mini Moog, Arp Odyssey, Arp String Ensemble
Jon Faddis Trumpet, Brass
Steve Gadd Percussion, Drums
Peter Gordon Horn, Brass
Bernie Kirsh Engineer
Tom “Bones” Malone Trombone, Brass
John McLaughlin Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar
Alan Rubin Trumpet, Brass
David Sancious Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String)
Ken Scott Producer, Engineer
Lew Soloff Trumpet, Brass
Jerry Solomon Assistant Engineer
David Taylor Trombone, Brass
Lenny White Drums
Wilmer Wise Horn, Brass

COP DIS JAM

I first got hip to Gene Harris from the “Astral Signal” album, released the previous year(’75). “In a Special Way” is his next, and between the two, the former was the more popular and hence, the more familiar.

Both albums mark a departure from a simpler production approach to one more complex. I like it!
“Theme for Relana” is an update in style reflecting the young-up-and-coming style to the jazz influenced music of the time.

Careful listening reveals smatterings of a Lonnie Liston Smith-style bass line feel, along with haunting EWF vocal harmonies and guitar grooves. Notice can also be taken of the splendid french horn riffs during the changes, as if harkening the hunting call:”the fox has been run to ground”.

Through it all, Harris’ facility on piano comes through in staccato fashion like light rain will contain smoldering embers.

All in all, this track is an excellent blend of the new and old, and comes very highly recommended.

COP DIS JAM

Gene Harris - In A Special Way [1976]

personnel:

George Bohanon (tb) Sidney Muldrow, Marnie Robinson (frh) Azar Lawrence (ts) Ed Green (vln) Charlotte Politte (el-p, syn) Jerry Peters (el-p, syn, string ensemble, arr, vo) Gene Harris (key) Lee Ritenour (g, el-g) Al McKay (el-g) John Rowin (el-g, arr) Chuck Rainey, Verdine White (el-b) James Gadson (d) Harvey Mason (d, per) Mayuto Correa (per) Phillip Bailey (per, vo) Merry Clayton, Ann Esther Jessica, D.J. Rodgers, Sigidi, Stephanie Spruill, Denise Williams (vo)

01 Theme For Relana
02 Rebop
03 Zulu
04 Always In My Mind
05 Love For Sale
06 It’s Your Love
07 Soft Cycles
08 Five_Four
09 Naima

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COP DIS JAM

The driving drums and their trademark tonality underscore the Cobham technique. Add to this the distinctive fender-rhodes harmonics and driving bass line groove, and the stage is set for a “knock your socks off” performance. Stratus is definitely one of his best on the album.

Recorded in 1973, Spectrum is Billy Cobham’s debut effort as a bandleader.

Jazz purists of the time expressed a resistance to funk as viable part of the “straight ahead” jazz arena… fine, whatever! This is still undeniably jazz.

As pure funk, it’s too jazzy, and too jazzy and funky to be pure rock. Hence the “fusion” of all three, creating it’s own category.

The band is comprised of some of the up and coming young lions of the time including: Jan Hammer on keyboards and synthesizer, a former Mahavishnu alumnus, along with Cobham, Tommy Bolin on guitar, who would later be a member of the James Gang and Deep Purple, Leland Sklar on bass, who would go on to play with Phil Collins.

All of which shared a fusion-like mindset, the result of which being the right cats at the right time.

COP DIS JAM

personnel:

Producer William E. Cobham, Jr.
Engineer Ken Scott
Personnel Billy Cobham - percussion
Lee Sklar - electric bass
Jimmy Owens - flugelhorn, trumpet

Also: Ron Carter, Ray Barretto, Joe Farrell, Jan Hammer, John Tropea, Tommy Bolin

track listing:

1. Quadrant 4
2. Searching For The Right Door / Spectrum
3. Anxiety / Taurian Matador
4. Stratus
5. To The Women In My Life / Le Lis
6. Snoopy’s Search / Red Baron