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in a special way

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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real brox

Ahhh jazz!. So many styles, so little time.
“Gateway” is a track from the “Real Brox” 2 disc CD, 2002 by the quintet Beeblebrox.

Central to the tune are Monica Herzig on piano, Tom Clark on sax, and her husband Peter Kienle on subtle guitar and synth fills,recorded live, with a noticably bluesy feel.

If this had been recorded in the studio, it would most likely still evoke 50’s nightclub/black & white movie soundtrack images,because these cats are just that adept at their craft of imparting their musical message.

Monica shines and is at ease with classical arpeggios, or sparkling jazz riffs. Tom’s pleadingly plaintive tone on the sax is somewhat reminiscent of a mix of Eddie Harris, John Klemmer, and David Sanborn, done of course in a way uniquely his own.

Laid back, but by no means narcoleptic, I love this tune, and their style of playing.

Excerpt: MELVIN WALDEN-JAMES WRITES A COLUMN FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS JAZZ FOUNDATION, INC. PUBLICATION, “Indy Jazz”.

“The name comes from Zaphod BeebleBrox, the main character in author Douglas Adams’ science fiction satire ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’ BeebleBrox’ music combines the elements of jazz, rock, funk, and world music to create a new sound, while keeping the fusion traditions of artists such as Weather Report, The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Chick Corea’s Return to Forever. You can hear many influences in the music of BeebleBrox, but their sound is unique!

BeebleBrox was first formed in Albstadt, Germany in 1983 by Peter Kienle. After teaming up with Monika Herzig in 1988, Kienle moved the group to the United States, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Herzig, composer as well as a respected jazz pianist, has recently been awarded a Down Beat magazine award for her composition, “Let’s Fool One,” and received a doctorate in music education and jazz studies from Indiana University.”

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ACME Records BB08-9929-2

Personnel:

Peter Kienle - electric guitar, guitar synth
Monika Herzig - grand piano, keyboards
Tom Clark - saxes, EWI
Jack Helsley - electric bass
Paul Surowiak - drums

Real Brox-Track Listing:

1. Birdie Nam-Nam 6:30
2. Belonging 8:50
3. Homer Simpson 13:32
4. Half Man - Half Brocoli 7:15
5. Baiao Do Banana/Bloomingtoon 6:57
6. Trojan Horse 6:51
7. Gateway 7:53
8. Beeblebrox 8:11
9. It’s Better to Keep Cool Sometimes 8:50
10. Lost but Not Forgotten 7:38
11. My Funny Glove Compartment 10:57
12. Mr. Simon 6:5
13. Homer’s Evil Twin 6:51
14. The Longest Day of the Week 7:53
15. Loose Ends 8:11