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Various Artists / A Song A Day
Looking back 1998 releases after more than two decades, I wonder if this album was deserved to be said as the best Various Artists project album of the year. The album was well produced by Jimmy Haslip (the original bassist of Yellow Jackets) and Vince Mendoza. I believe that this album was basically the USA re-release of the 1996 WDR Big Band Köln “Summer Olympics Atlanta 1996 - Flame” album (supposed to be released only in Europe then) with different track order and replacing a Vince Mendoza track by then Zebra Records artist Mark Portmann’s “The Last Song” taken from Portmann’s 1997 album “No Truer Words”. All the tracks were very much of high quality and basically not on the artist’s album, therefore this compilation CD was one of the must-have but easily missing to buy CDs. The featured songs are two Chaka Khan’s, two Brenda Russell’s. Gino Vannelli’s self-remake version of “Just a Motion Away” originally performed on his1984 album “Black Cars”, and Al Jarreau’s self-remake “Raging Waters” (the original version was the opening track of Jay Graydon producing 1984 album ‘High Crime” were really impressive. Release: 29 September, 1998 Label: Zebra Records, USA (44008) Tracks: 1. You and I Are One 2. We Will Meet Again 3. Time Piece 4. One Chance 5. Just a Motion Away 6. Mile High 7. Power 8. Flame 9. Glory 10. Raging Waters 11. We're in This Together 12. The Last Song Producers: Jimmy Haslip, Vince Mendoza Executive Producer:Ricky Schultz Main Performers: Track 1, 7: Chaka Khan Track 2,8: Brenda Russell Track 3: Vince Mendoza Track 4, 11: Lori Perry Track 5: Gino Vannelli Track 6: Jean ‘Toots’ Thielemans & Yellowjackets Track 9: Yellowjackets Track 10: Al Jarreau Track 12: Mark Portmann - Musicians - Guitar: Michael Landau, Paul Jackson Jr., Pat Thomi, Charles Johnson, John Defaria Keyboards: Howard McCreary, Vince Mendoza, Frank Chastenier, C.J. Vanston, Russell Ferrante, Joe Vannelli, Mark Portmann EVI and Synthesizer Programming: Judd Miller Bass: Jimmy Haslip Drums: J.R. Robinson, Willam Kennedy, Enzo Todesco Percussion: Luis Conte, Jimmy Haslip Sax: Heiner Wiberny, Bob Mintzer, Olivier Peters, Steve Groves Trumpet: Andy Haderer WDR BIG BAND: First Alto Sax, Flute: Heiner Wiberny Second Alto Sax, Flute: Harald Rosenstein First Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Flute: Olivier Peters Second Sax, Clarinet, Flute: Rolf Romer Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet, Flute: Jens Neufang Lead Trumpet, Flugelhorn: Andy Haderer Trumpet, Flugelhorn: John Marshall, Rick Kiefer, Thomas Vogel Trombone: Dave Horler, Henning Berg, Brent Laukamp Bass Trombone: Roy Deuvall Hammond B-3 Organ: Frank Chastenier Tuba: Hartmut Muller French Horns: Andrew Joy, Joachim Polti, Egon Hellrung, Nozomu Segawa Harmonica: Jean ‘Toots’ Thielemans Background Vocals: Howard McCreary, Carmen Carter, Bunny Hull, Mindy Stein, Ross Vannelli #ASongADay #WDRBigBand
Adult Contemporary AOR Smooth Jazz Zebra Records, USATakeito
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Rhythm Logic
Rhythm Logic is the project led by the drummer Michael White with three Los Angeles based good Contemporary Jazz musicians. Chicago born White worked with artists like Curtis Mayfield and Lou Rawls early in his career and then moving to Los Angeles in 1982 to work as a session musician. Good Melodies, Good Groove and more on this project. 10 tunes appeared on this album must feel you satisfied not only logically but also emotionally! Three vocal tunes such as " I. G. Y." originally performed by Donald Fagen, "Fantasy" originally performed by Earth, Wind & Fire and "The First Time" originally performed by Surf ice, are worth listening. Release: 23 June, 1998 (Japan) / 24 August, 1999 (USA) Label: Videoarts Music, Japan (VACM-1125) / Zebra Records (ZD 44018-2) Tracks: 1. Tuesday Love 2. I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year) 3. Logically Speaking 4. Full Speed 5. Fantasy 6. You Know I Will 7. Take Me Away! 8. A Portrait Of Passion 9. Beverly 10. The First Time Rhythm Logic: Drums: Michael White Keyboards: Brian Simpson Bass: Dwayne Smith Guitar: Ron Smith - Musicians - Percussion: Brian Kilgore, Munyungo Jackson, Freddie E. White Sax: Albert Wing, Andre Robeson Trumpet: Walt Fowler, Michael Harris, Rahmlee Michael Davis Trombone: Steve Baxter Lead Vocals: Maysa Leak (Track2 & 5), Alex Brown & Bridgette Bryant Fiddmont (Track 7) Background Vocals: Phil Perry, Liz Hougue, Kim Brewer, Bernard Jackson
Smooth Jazz Video Arts Music, Japan Zebra Records, USA CDTakeito
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David Garfield And Friends / Tribute To Jeff
Among the greatest drummers of all time, late Jeffery Thomas Porcaro aka Jeff Porcaro must be the best of the best in 1970’s ,1980’s and early 1990’s before he passed on 5 August, 1992, at just 38 years old. At least, the readers of this must agree without any objections. It is not necessary who Jeff Porcaro is in details. Jeff played on the hundreds of album which are to be shown here at my ACMJ museum on this Muuseo.com, such as Boz Scaggs' "Silk Degrees", Bill Champlin’s “Single”, Airplay’s self-titled album, Steely Dan’s “Gaucho” and without saying his own band Toto’s albums. David Garfield led the project to record this album as a memorial and tribute to Jeff Porcaro, many musicians who were good friends of Jeff and worked with him got together. In 2003, David mentioned, “It was unfortunate that we ran out of time and space on the record to include more people. There were certainly plenty that wanted to participate, and some of them are listed on the cd credits under "You were missed." In any event, 13 tracks tribute CD were released finally. Release : 21 March, 1997 (Japan) Label: Sweeca / Pony Canyon Inc., Japan (PCCY-1103) / Zebra Records,USA (ZD44005 / Intercord Record Service, Germany (484486-2) Tracks: 1. E Minor Shuffle 2. Let's Stay Together 3. Twenty-One Drum Salute 4. Lowdown 5. If Six Was Nine 6. Bag's Groove 7. My Heart Wants To Know 8. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To City 9. Babylon Sisters 10. Stuffy 11. Jeff's Strut 12. Big Bone 13. Long Time No Groove Producers: David Garfield, David Paich, Michael Landau - Musicians - Lead Vocals: : Track 2: Paulette Brown, Michael McDonald & David Pack, Chorus Vamp: Don Henley, Richard Marx Track 5: Michael Landau & Will Lee Track 7: Jason Scheff Track 8: Boz Scaggs Keyboards: David Garfield, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, James Newton Howard, Joe Sample, Benmont Tench, Mike Finnigan, Greg Phillinganes, Michael Boddicker, Greg Mathieson, David Benoit Drums: Carlos Vega, Steve Ferrone, Greg Bissonette, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Wickel, Richard Hayward, Jim Keltner, Steve Jordan, Abraham Laboriel Jr., Simon Phillips, Joe Porcaro, Tris Imboden, Richie Hayward, Bernard Purdie Percussion: Lenny Castro, Luis Conte, Michito Sanchez, Chris Trujillo, Luis Enrique, Chris Porcaro, Miles Porcaro, Nico Porcaro, Chase Porcaro Duddy, Peter Erskine, John Guerin, Ralph Humphrey, John Ferraro, Michito Sanchez Guitars: David T. Walker, Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, David Williams, Paul Jackson Jr., Eddie Van Halen, Denny Dias, Jay Graydon, Larry Carlton, Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett Bass: Jimmy Johnson, Nathan East, Freddy Washington, Will Lee, Chuck Domanico, John Pena, Jimmy Haslip, Neil Stubenhaus, Lee Sklar, Abe Laboriel Sr., Mike Porcaro, David Hungate Sax: Larry Klimas, Michael Paulo, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, Brandon Fields, Bob Sheppard Vibraphone: Emi Richards Trumpet: Walt Fowler Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Jerry Hey Background Vocals: Don Henley, Richard Marx, David Pack, Bill Champlin, Jason Scheff, Joseph Williams, Eddie Van Halen #DavidGarfield
AOR Contemporary Jazz Intercord Record Service, Germany Pony Canyon, JapanTakeito
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Mark Portmann / No Truer Words
Mark Portmann is widely known as the keyboard player of the Rippingotons, one of the most popular contemporary jazz band featuring Russ Freeman, from 1988 to 1992. After leaving the Rippingotons, Mark were creating the album “Driving Beverly Hills”, all songs written and produced by him in 1993, featuring Jeff Kashiwa, Jerry Watts, Steve Reid and others. This release was not released under the name of Mark Portmann. We had to wait for several years to have his solo album. In January of 1997, Mark released his first solo album with some excellent vocal tracks performed by Warren Wiebe and Bill Champlin. All instrumental tracks are also very good. This must be one of Smooth Jazz / Fusion masterpiece albums in late 90's. Release: 28 January, 1997 Label: Zebra Records, USA (ZD 44001) Tracks: 1. No Truer Words 2. Slink 3. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Lead Vocal: Lori Perry) 4. Walla, Walla 5. Canyons 6. Come As You Are (Lead Vocal: Bill Champlin) 7. The Last Song 8. Michi 9. Here I Go Again (Lead Vocal: Warren Wiebe) 10. Summer In Trujillo 11. Destinations Producer: Mark Portmann Executive Producer: Ricky Schultz - Musicians - Guitars: Alan Hinds, John Defaria, Marty Walsh, Brian Monroney, Michael Thompson Drums: Tony Morales, Bernie Dresel, Ricky Lawson Percussion: Steve Reid, Paulinho Da Costa, Raphael Padilla Bass: Freddy Washington, Neil Stubenhaus Sax: Steve Groves, Jeff Kashiwa Lead and Background Vocals: Warren Wiebe, Lori Perry, Bill Champlin Background Vocals: Marilyn Scott, Joseph Williams #MarkPortmann
Adult Contemporary Smooth Jazz Zebra Records, USA CDTakeito