All Categories — LPs  

Smooth jazzy fusion from Lee Ritenour – a classic set that was originally only released in Japan, part of the underground Japanese Fusion movement of the late 70s, famous for groove hounds for that added level of soul that often wasn't showing up in American releases at the time! The album was recorded in both Rio and LA – with work by a mixture of Brazilian and American fusion players, including Chico Batera, Oscar Castro Neves, Alex Acuna, Don Grusin, Dave Grusin, Steve Forman, and Marcus Miller. Includes the smooth funk classic "A Little Bit Of This & A Little Bit Of That", plus the cuts "Simplicidad", "Rainbow", "Rio Funk", "San Juan Sunset", and "Ipanema Sol".

Titles include "Mr Briefcase", "Countdown", "Good Question", "Dreamwalk", "Is It You", and "Just Tell Me Pretty Lies".

A very nice bit of spacey funky jazz from sax player Azar Lawrence, and one of the great earlier productions by Skip Scarborough, with a feel that's very similar to Gary Bartz's work with Larry Mizell! Azar plays a mix of funk and spiritual soul jazz – and he's got some great electric backing by Patrice Rushen, Paul Jackson, Harvey Mason, Mtume, and Lee Ritenour. The whole thing's got a great Fantasy Records funk groove – and includes many nice titles like "Theme For A New Day", "Kickin Back", "Canticle For The Universe", "Gratitude" and a great take on Scarborough's "Can't Hide Love".

Maynard's got some great help on this session – stripping things down and working with a group of west coast fusion players led by Stanley Clarke! The date's a bit later than some of Maynard's classic funk, but the groove's back on track – thanks to Stan's production and arrangements – and players that include Lee Ritenour, George Duke, Ndugu Chancler, and Tod Cochrane. The vibe is surprisingly soulful on most numbers – and titles include "Deja Vu", "Portuguese Love", "Here Today", "Touch & Go", "For Your Eyes Only", "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough", and "Hollywood".

A killer bit of soulful fusion – recorded by Mouzon after his harder-jamming 70s years, with an all star group that includes Herbie Hancock, Lee Ritenour, Freddie Hubbard, and Paul Jackson. The tunes groove wonderfully – never too over the top, and always in the smooth soulful mode that was the best part of major label fusion in the late 70s. Mouzon plays a fair bit of keyboards next to Herbie's acoustic and electric piano, and tracks are long, with some really nicely jazzy grooves. Titles include "The Jogger", "Do I Have To", "Space Invadors", and "The Next Time We Love".

A monstrous bit of jazz funk from drummer Alphonse Mouzon – spacey tracks in a choppy style that reminds us a bit of some of the best European fusion albums from the period, but with a harder groove overall! Mini Moog and ARP trip out the sound throughout, but the underlying rhythms are nice and heavy. Lee Ritenour's on guitar, and he gets a lot of play on the record – but the main groove is Alphonse's heavy funky snakefoot! Al's drums and percussion are furiously frenetic, and he also plays a lot of keyboards – and other players include Tom Scott on tenor, Dave Grusin on clavinet, Victor Feldman on bongos and congas, and Charles Meeks on bass. A few tracks have vocals – by Marty McCall, Jackie Ward, and Caroline Willis – as well as Alphonse himself and the album's also got two very nice break-oriented tracks – "Snake Walk" and "New York City" – both with nice hard drums! Titles include a number of other good fusion groovers, like "Without A Reason", "Just Like the Sun", "Before You Leave", "Just Like The Sun", and "Mouzon Moves On".

A classic set of 70s fusion – featuring Lee Ritenour on guitar and both Don Grusin and Pete Robinson on keyboards! There's a bit of vocals – courtesy of Bill Champlin, Venette Gloud, and Carmen Twillie – and titles include "Puzzle People", "The Baron", "Fly By Night", "Single Again", and "All Night Lover".

But this album, if only for one track! The album's a collection of tunes by jazz guitarists – put together by Guitar Player magazine, and featuring rare tunes by a variety of different players. Our standout favorite is Lee Ritenour's version of "Valdez In The Country" – the great Donny Hathaway funk instrumental, handled here with a very different approach than the original! Other tracks range from straight jazz to swing to bossa – and titles include "Contrary-ness" and "Two For The Blues" by Barney Kessel & Herb Ellis, "Allison II" and "Django" by Joe Pass, "Guitar Player" and "Counting My Tears" by BB King, "Spain" and "Toronto Under the Sign Of Capricorn" by Larry Coryell, and "Lament In Tremolo Form" and "Feelings" by Laurindo Almeida.

A tasty session of west coast Brazilian grooves – cut by the great percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, with a group that includes Claudio Slon, Larry Williams, and Lee Ritenour. The record's got a very nice breezy feel – with a sound that's similar to some of the Fantasy Brazilian LPs of the time, which mixed tight Brazilian playing with a soulful sense of California production. With the cuts "Simbora", "Toledo Bagel", "Ritmo Number One", and "Berimbau Variations".

One of the funkiest albums ever from Henry Mancini – a brilliant reworking of hit 70s cop show themes, put together with a really jazzy groove! The group's a big one – filled with hip players who include Clare Fischer on organ, Artie Kane on electric piano and harpsichord, Don Menza on tenor, Lee Ritenour on guitar – all instruments that are used strongly to help kick things nicely on the set, with a vibe that's right up there with the best funky 70s soundtracks. Harvey Mason is on drums, bringing up the bottom a bit more than usual for Mancini – and the choice of material really makes the record cook – with tracks that include "Kojak", "SWAT", "Police Woman", "Rockford Files", "Hawaii Five O", "Streets Of San Francisco", "Bumper's Theme", and "Baretta's Theme".