Jazz / Fusion, Jazz-Pop, Crossover Jazz
An anthology of rare recordings recorded from 1979-1980.
Bill Milkowski Liner Notes
Bill Washer Guitar
Brian Brake Drums
Claudio Roditi Trumpet, Guest Appearance, Flugelhorn
David Baker Mixing, Engineer
George Klabin Liner Notes, Engineer, Mixing, Producer
Grady Tate Drums
Harris Simon Piano, Fender Rhodes, Harmonica, Liner Notes
Jeff Kaufman Producer
Jeffrey Kaufman Strings
Jorge Calandrelli Arranger
Juilliard Strings Strings
Michael Brecker Saxophone, Guest Appearance, Sax (Tenor)
Michal Urbaniak Violin
Mike Richmond Bass (Electric), Bass, Bass (Upright)
A rare collection of all-star recordings from keyboardist Harris Simon featuring Michael Brecker at his very best!
Features brilliant performances by 15-time Grammy winner Michael Brecker in a prime period of his career, and arrangements by 5-time Grammy-winning producer/arranger Jorge Calandrelli (Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Madonna, Josh Groban).
24-bit remastering with new mixes brings the best sound ever to these recordings!
All tracks co-produced by Resonance Owner/President George Klabin, and Jeffrey Kaufman.
Simon, a NY native, is internationally recognized as a virtuoso on piano, Fender Rhodes, and harmonica. In 1983, he was the First Prize Winner at the Kalisz International Jazz Piano Competition in Kalisz, Poland.
Simon has been a sideman with some of jazz's greats including Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, Sonny Fortune, and Red Mitchell.
This recording is a reclamation project for keyboardist Harris Simon, issuing music on CD for the first time in the U.S. originally released only in Japan back in the late '70s and early '80s. During that last gasp of the fusion era, Simon collaborated with the Juilliard String Ensemble, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, trumpeter Claudio Roditi, and guitarist Bill Washer, among others, while using acoustic piano and electric Fender Rhodes to perform some favorite compositions and originals. The result is a potpourri of contemporary jazz with chamber and Brazilian or funky underpinnings that is a bit dated à la ersatz CTI Records, but still exciting and fun to hear. While the strings are present on several of these tracks, it is the material written by Hugo Fatturoso that stands out. The outstanding rocked-out "Wind Chant" and hard samba "Romance of Death," originally heard on Airto Moreira's classic Fingers album, are interpreted here with plenty of prerequisite energy and passion. Brecker and Roditi's contributions during the neo-bopping "Swish" and "Don the Don" also emphasize that Simon is an excellent composer as well as performer. The leader also plays a little harmonica during "Street Song," a quaint pop-styled tune. Guests include Joe Farrell on flute and violinist Michal Urbaniak, more indication of the kind of company Harris Simon kept. Issued some 32 years after it was recorded, it's clear he's still proud of this music, and it is good that the date has been given a second chance to be appreciated. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide |
