Tag Archives: December

Black Unity Trio: Al – Fatihah

In May 1969, “Salaam Records” label released “Al – Fatihah”, the debut Black Unity Trio album. It was recorded in December 1968, at “Agency Recording Studio” in Cleveland.

Personnel:

  • Yusuf Mumin – alto saxophone, double bass
  • Ron DeVaughn – cello, bass
  • Haasan Al-Hut – percussion
  • Don White – engineer
  • Gerald’s Photo Art Studio – photography

Track listing:

  1. Birth, Life and Death
  2. In Light of Blackness
  3. Opening Prayer
  4. John’s Vision
  5. Al – Nisa
  6. Final Expression

Kahil El’Zabar’s Ritual Trio: Live at the River East Art Center

On May 17, 2005, “Delmark” label released “Live at the River East Art Center”, a live album by Kahil El’Zabar’s Ritual Trio. It was recorded in December 2004, at River East Art Center” in Chicago, and was produced by Kahil El’Zabar, Robert G. Koester and Steve Wagner.

Personnel:

  • Kahil El’Zabar – kalimba, drums, percussion
  • Ari Brown – tenor saxophone
  • Yosef Ben Israel – bass
  • Billy Bang – electric violin

Track listing:

All tracks by Kahil El’Zabar, except where noted.

  1. Big M
  2. Return of the Lost Tribe
  3. Where Do You Want to Go? – Ari Brown
  4. Be Exciting (Kahil Testifies)
  5. Oof

Duke Ellington: Blues In Orbit

In May 1960, “Columbia” label released “Blues in Orbit”, the 32nd Duke Ellington album. It was recorded in February 1958, February – December 1959, at “Radio Recorders” in Los Angeles, “Columbia 30th Street” in New York.

Personnel:

  • Duke Ellington – piano
  • Billy Strayhorn – piano
  • Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone 
  • Russell Procope – alto saxophone, clarinet
  • Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone
  • Harry Carney – baritone saxophone
  • Ray Nance – trumpet, violin
  • Cat Anderson, Shorty Baker, Clark Terry – trumpet
  • Fats Ford – trumpet
  • Britt Woodman – trombone
  • Matthew Gee, Booty Wood – trombone
  • Quentin Jackson – trombone
  • John Sanders – valve trombone
  • Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet, tenor saxophone
  • Jimmy Woode – bass
  • Jimmy Johnson – drums
  • Sam Woodyard – drums
  • Teo Macero – liner notes

Track listing:

All tracks by Duke Ellington except as noted.

  1. Three J’s Blues – Jimmy Hamilton
  2. Smada – Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn
  3. Pie Eye’s Blues
  4. Sweet and Pungent – Billy Strayhorn
  5. C Jam Blues – Duke Ellington, Barney Bigard
  6. In a Mellow Tone – Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler
  7. Blues in Blueprint
  8. The Swingers Get the Blues, Too – Duke Ellington, Matthew Gee
  9. The Swinger’s Jump
  10. Blues in Orbit – Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn
  11. Villes Ville Is the Place, Man

Billy Harper: Soran-Bushi, B.H.

In April 1978, “Denon” label released “Soran-Bushi, B.H.”, the fifth Billy Harper album. It was recorded in December 1977, at “Sound Ideas Studios” in New York City.

Personnel:

  • Billy Harper – tenor saxophone
  • Everett Hollins – trumpet
  • Harold Mabern – piano
  • Greg Maker – bass
  • Horacee Arnold – drums 
  • Billy Hart – drums

Track listing:

All tracks by Billy Harper.

  1. Trying to Get Ready
  2. Loverhood
  3. Soran-Bushi, B.H.

Al Di Meola: Elegant Gypsy

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

Unwound: The Future Of What

On April 24, 1995, “Kill Rock Stars” label released “The Future of What”, the third Unwound studio album. It was recorded in December 1994, at “John and Stu’s” in Seattle, Washington, and was produced by Steve Fisk.

Personnel:

  • Justin Trosper – vocals, guitar
  • Vern Rumsey – bass
  • Sara Lund – drums
  • Steve Fisk – optigan
  • John Goodmanson – engineer
  • Kathi Wilcox – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Justin Trosper, Vern Rumsey and Sara Lund.

  1. New Energy
  2. Demolished
  3. Natural Disaster
  4. Re-Enact the Crime
  5. Equally Stupid
  6. Pardon My French
  7. Descension
  8. Accidents on Purpose
  9. Petals Like Bricks
  10. Vern’s Answer to the Masses
  11. Here Come the Dogs
  12. Disappoint
  13. Swan

Mountain: Live: The Road Goes Ever On

On April 24, 1972, “Windfall” label released “Live: The Road Goes Ever On”, the first live Mountain album. It was recorded August 1969, December 1971, January 1972, at “Woodstock Festival” in Bethel, New York, “Academy of Music” in New York City, “Rainbow Theatre” in London, and was produced by Felix Pappalardi.

Personnel:

  • Leslie West – vocals, guitar
  • Steve Knight – keyboards
  • Felix Pappalardi – vocals, bass
  • N. D. Smart – drums
  • Corky Laing – drums
  • Bob d’Orleans – engineer
  • Beverly Weinstein – art direction
  • Gail Collins – artwork, photography
  • Bud Prager – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. Long Red – Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, John Ventura, Norman Landsberg
  2. Waiting to Take You Away – Leslie West
  3. Crossroader – Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins
  4. Nantucket Sleighride – Felix Pappalardi, Gail Collins

Eberhard Weber: The Colours Of Chloë

In April 1974, “ECM” label released “The Colours of Chloë”, the debut Eberhard Weber studio album. It was recorded in December 1973, at “Tonstudio Bauer” in Ludwigsburg, Germany, and was produced by Manfred Eicher.

Personnel:

  • Eberhard Weber – voice, bass, cello, ocarina
  • Rainer Brüninghaus – piano, synthesizer
  • Peter Giger – drums
  • Ralf Hübner – drums
  • Ack van Rooyen – fluegelhorn
  • Gisela Schäuble – voice
  • celli of the Südfunk Orchestra, Stuttgart

Track listing:

All tracks by Eberhard Weber.

  1. More Colours
  2. The Colours of Chloe
  3. An Evening with Vincent Van Ritz
  4. No Motion Picture

Wes Montgomery: Down Here On The Ground

In April 1968, “A&M” label released “Down Here on the Ground”, the 21st Wes Montgomery album. It was recorded December 1967 – January 1968, at “Van Gelder Studio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Creed Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Wes Montgomery – guitar
  • Herbie Hancock – piano
  • Ron Carter – bass
  • Grady Tate – drums
  • Ray Barretto – percussion
  • Hubert Laws – flute, oboe
  • George Marge – flute, oboe
  • Romeo Penque – flute, oboe
  • Bobby Rosengarden – percussion
  • Mike Mainieri – vibraphone
  • Gene Orloff – violin
  • Raoul Poliakin – violin
  • George Ricci – cello
  • Emanuel Vardi – viola
  • Don Sebesky – arrangements, conductor
  • Eumir Deodato – arrangements, conductor
  • Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
  • Kevin Reeves – mastering
  • Hollis King – art direction
  • Isabelle Wong – design
  • Sam Antupit – design
  • Pete Turner – photography
  • Andy Kman – production coordinator

Track listing:

  1. Wind Song – Herb Alpert, Nick Ceroli, Neil Larsen, John Pisano, Paul Francis Webster
  2. Georgia on My Mind – Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
  3. The Other Man’s Grass Is Always Greener – Tony Hatch, Jackie Trent
  4. Down Here on the Ground – Lalo Schifrin, Gale Garnett
  5. Up and at It – Wes Montgomery
  6. Goin’ on to Detroit – Wes Montgomery
  7. I Say a Little Prayer for You – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  8. When I Look in Your Eyes – Leslie Bricusse
  9. Know It All (Quem Diz Que Sabe) – João Donato, Paulo Valle
  10. The Fox – Lalo Schifrin

Booker Ervin: Groovin’ High

In April 1966, “Prestige” label released “Groovin’ High”, the seventh Booker Ervin album. It was recorded December 1963 – June / October 1964, at “Van Gelder Sudio” in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, and was produced by Don Schlitte.

Personnel:

  • Booker Ervin – tenor saxophone
  • Carmell Jones – trumpet
  • Jaki Byard – piano 
  • Gildo Mahones – piano
  • Richard Davis – bass
  • Alan Dawson – drums
  • Rudy Van Gelder – engineer

Track listing:

  1. The Second #2 – Booker Ervin
  2. Groovin’ High – Dizzy Gillespie
  3. Bass-IX – Booker Ervin
  4. Stella by Starlight – Ned Washington, Victor Young