The Joey Jefferson Band: Crenshaw Boulevard, 1980

I'm posting two very different Wes Montgomery inspired albums today. Unlike The Visit, this one is not dedicated to Montgomery but you can hear his influence on Jefferson's playing all over the record. The band is pretty versatile, but they also manage keep the funk going the whole record. Having James Gadson from the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band on board must have helped. This is the record's virgin spin. "Conducted and produced by Joey Jefferson (Head arranger):"

Three guitar players: Joey Jefferson, Cal Green, Geo Walker

The Drummer: James Gadson

Bass: Bob Bradley

Sax Solo: Fred Smith (On Mr. Music Man)

Synthesizer: Reggie Andrews

Bolic sounds: Frank Borkgren

Mystic sounds: Steve Fugi

Background vocals Hodges, James, and Smith On Mr. Music Man

Other background voices: Kathy, Inez, and Stephanie

Crenshaw Blvd. by EasyJams

Pat Martino: The Visit, 1972

This album was also released under the title Footprints and it's available elsewhere online under that name, but I thought I'd upload this version of it too, for the cover art if nothing else. It's closer to Martino's sparser, more laid back material like Baiyina rather than his busier, more progressive stuff like Desperado. Still, The Visit, a tribute to Wes Montgomery, is more groove oriented than Baiyina. On both albums, the bass tends to hold down melodic patterns rather than walk, but on the Visit Martino keeps his solos a little more inside.

Pat Martino: guitar

Bobby Rose: second guitar

Richard Davis: bass

Billy Higgins: drums

The Visit by EasyJams

Charles Owens New York Art Ensemble: Plays the Music of Henry Warren, 1980

This record has a great mix of sounds. The band, and Owens in particular, use a lot of different textures but also play pretty straight ahead most of the time. The group sounds really comfortable together and the rhythm section especially stood out to me. Named for New York but recorded in LA.

Ray Brown, bass

Roy McCurdy, drums

Charles Owens, flute and sax

James Newton, flute (2)

George Cables, piano

Red Callender, tuba

You'll Never Know by EasyJams