Tag Archives: April 1977

The Headhunters: Straight From The Gate

Leave a comment

In April 1977, “Arista” label released “Straight from the Gate”, the sixth Headhunters (The) album. It was recorded in 1977, at “The Automatt”, in San Francisco, and was produced by David Rubinson & Friends, Derrick Youman, DeWayne McKnight, Paul Potyen, Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson, Michael Clark and Bill Summers.

Personnel:

  • Derrick Youman – lead vocals
  • Obsidian Blackbyrd (DeWayne McKnight) – acoustic and electric guitar, sitar, backing vocals
  • Paul Potyen – piano, electric piano, organ, synthesizer, backing vocals
  • Bennie Maupin – vocals, soprano and tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute
  • Paul Jackson – vocals, bass
  • Michael Clark – drums
  • Bill Summers – percussion
  • David Rubinson, Fred Catero – engineer
  • Chris Minto – engineer assistant
  • George Horn – mastering
  • Bruce Steinberg – design, photography
  • Kaz Tsuruta – layout, photography
  • Fred Catero – co producer

Track listing:

All tracks by Derrick Youman, DeWayne McKnight, Paul Potyen, Bennie Maupin, Paul Jackson, Michael Clark and Bill Summers.

  1. Straight from the Gate – lyrics by Joel “Twinkles” Smith, Maurice Holloway, Wallace Mitchell
  2. Mayonnaise
  3. Ms. Yum Yum
  4. Don’t Kill Your Feelings
  5. Descending Azzizziuh (The Beginning Of A Dream)
  6. I Remember I Made You Cry
  7. Pork Soda
  8. Dreams
  9. Silhouette

Al Di Meola: Elegant Gypsy

Leave a comment

In April 1977, “Columbia” label released “Elegant Gypsy”, the second Al Di Meola studio album. It was recorded December 1976 – January 1977, and was produced by Al Di Meola. “Elegant Gypsy” won an annual award for “Best Guitar Album in Guitar Player”.

Personnel:

  • Al Di Meola – acoustic and electric guitars, piano, synthesizer, percussion
  • Paco de Lucía – acoustic guitar
  • Jan Hammer – keyboards
  • Barry Miles – keyboards
  • Anthony Jackson – bass guitar
  • Steve Gadd – drums
  • Lenny White – drums
  • Mingo Lewis – congas, synthesizers, organ, percussion
  • Janice Dickinson – album cover model

Track listing:

All tracks by Al Di Meola except where noted.

  1. Flight Over Rio – Mingo Lewis
  2. Midnight Tango
  3. Mediterranean Sundance
  4. Race with Devil on Spanish Highway
  5. Lady of Rome, Sister of Brazil
  6. Elegant Gypsy Suite

Pharoah Sanders: Pharoah

Leave a comment

In April 1977, “India Navigation” label released “Pharoah”, the 14th Pharoah Sanders album. It was recorded August – September 1976, and was produced by India Navigation Company.

Personnel:

  • Pharoah Sanders – vocals, tenor saxophone, percussion
  • Bedria Sanders – harmonium
  • Clifton “Jiggs” Chase – organ
  • Tisziji Munoz – guitar
  • Steve Neil – bass
  • Greg Bandy – drums
  • Lawrence Killian – percussion

Track listing:

All tracks by Pharoah Sanders.

  1. Harvest Time
  2. Love Will Find a Way
  3. Memories of Edith Johnson

Spirit: Future Games

Leave a comment

In April 1977, “Mercury” label released “Future Games”, the ninth Spirit studio album. It was recorded in 1977, at “Studios 70” in Tampa, Florida, and was produced by Dr. Sardonicus.

Personnel:

  • Randy California – vocals, guitar, bass, engineer
  • Ed Cassidy – drums, percussion
  • Joe Kotleba – synthesizer
  • Terry Anderson – backing vocals
  • Blair Mooney – engineer
  • Wally Traugott – mastering
  • Jim Schubert – art direction
  • Hauser and D’Orio – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Randy California, except where noted.

  1. CB Talk
  2. Stars Are Love
  3. Kahauna Dream
  4. Buried in My Brain – Randy California, Kim Fowley, Blair Mooney, Carla Savage
  5. Bionic Unit – Randy California, Kim Fowley, Blair Mooney
  6. So Happy Now
  7. All Along the Watchtower – Bob Dylan
  8. Would You Believe
  9. Jack Bond Speaks – Randy California
  10. Star Trek Dreaming
  11. Interlude XM
  12. China Doll – Randy California, Ed Cassidy
  13. Hawaiian Times
  14. Gorn Attack – Timothy Blanton, Randy California
  15. Interlude 2001
  16. Detroit City – Randy California, Ed Cassidy
  17. Freakout Frog – Randy California, Ed Cassidy
  18. The Romulan Experience
  19. Monkey See, Monkey Do
  20. Mt. Olympus
  21. The Journey of Nomad – Randy California, Tom Hall
  22. Ending

Eric Carmen: Boats Against the Current

Leave a comment

In April 1977, “Arista” label released “Boats Against the Current”, the second Eric Carmen studio album. It was recorded in 1977, at “Crystal Sound” and “Studio 55” in Los Angeles, “Sound Factory” in Hollywood, “Brother Studio” in Santa Monica, and was produced by Eric Carmen.

Personnel:

  • Eric Carmen – lead vocals, acoustic piano, synthesizers, 12 string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, conductor, electric harpsichord, drums, percussion, backing vocals, arrangements
  • Andrew Gold – electric guitar solo, electric guitar
  • Richard Reising – acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic piano, backing vocals
  • Richie Zito – acoustic and electric guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Boddicker – synthesizers
  • Dave Wintour – bass
  • Jeff Porcaro – drums
  • Nigel Olsson – drums, backing vocals
  • Gene Estes – percussion
  • Ollie E. Brown – percussion
  • Jim Horn – saxophone
  • Bobby Keys – saxophone
  • Tom Scott – saxophone
  • Steve Madaio – trumpet
  • Paul Buckmaster – string arrangements, conductor
  • Burton Cummings – backing vocals
  • Curt Becher – backing vocals
  • Joe Chemay – backing vocals
  • Bruce Johnston – backing vocals, arrangements
  • Brian Wilson – backing vocals
  • Kevin Beamish – engineer
  • Larry Emerine – engineer
  • David Henson – engineer
  • Mark Howlett – engineer
  • Dennis Kirk – engineer
  • Tim Kramer – engineer
  • Earle Mankey – engineer
  • Howard Steele – engineer
  • Thom Wilson – engineer
  • Val Garay – mixing
  • Doug Sax – mastering
  • Bob Heimall – art direction
  • Ed Caraeff – design, photography
  • Benno Friedman – inside photography effects
  • Norman Adams – inside artwork
  • Michael Manoogian – calligraphy

All tracks by Eric Carmen:

  1. Boats Against the Current
  2. Marathon Man
  3. Nowhere To Hide
  4. Take It or Leave It
  5. Love Is All That Matters
  6. She Did It
  7. I Think I Found Myself
  8. Run Away