Ralph Mann

Herbie Mann - Turtle Bay / Discotheque (2001) {2CD Set, Atlantic–Collectables COL-CD-6824 rec 1973-1975}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 454 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 193 Mb | Artwork | 5% repair rar
© 1973-75, 2001 Atlantic / Collectables Records | COL-CD-6824
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Jazz Funk / Crossover Jazz / Jazz Pop / Flute

One of the most ecclectic musicians of the century, Herbie Mann went from playing straight jazz in the '50's to several musical genres over the following decades. During the early '70's he made some great recordings. Two albums from this period, Turtle Bay and Discoteque are combined for this release. While Discotheque does have some gems, in my opinion Turtle Bay offers the most satisfying listening.

Herbie Mann - Waterbed (1975) {Atlantic Japan WPCR-28033 rel 2014}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 234 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 87 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 9 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1975, 2014 Atlantic / WEA / Warner Japan | WPCR-28033 | 24bit remaster
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Soul Jazz / Flute

Features 24 bit digital remastering. Comes with a mini-description. A sweet electric set from the great Herbie Mann – one of his best of the time! Like a number of his contemporaries recording jazz for Atlantic, Herbie had moved pretty firmly into a funky soul mode by the mid 70s – adding in lots of electric instrumentation and vocals to keep up with the success of some of the bigger-selling jazz albums of the time. Oddly, this approach actually sounds pretty darn good to us – especially having the hindsight of over 25 years to get over the shock of any sort of perceived "sell out". The players are all pretty tight, and Herbie manages to keep things pretty hip on all tracks, sticking to his roots in Latin-influenced playing. The record features remakes of "Comin Home Baby" and Joe Cuba's "Bang Bang", plus a version of Astor Piazzolla's "Deux Xango", and the orignals "Paradise Music", "Body Oil", and "Waterbed".

This two-fer from Collectables features a pair of out of print Herbie Mann LPs: Brazil: Once Again and Sunbelt. Originally issued in 1978 and 1979, respectively, these 12 smooth jazz/pop tracks include "Watermelon Man," "The Closer I Get to You," and "Let's Stay Together." Most listeners would be better served with one of Mann's compilations on Rhino/Atlantic.

Flutist Herbie Mann opened up his music on this date for Push Push (and during the era) toward R&B, rock and funk music. The results were generally appealing, melodic and danceable. On such songs as "What's Going On," "Never Can Say Goodbye," "What'd I Say" and the title cut, Mann utilizes an impressive crew of musicians, which include guitarist Duane Allman and keyboardist Richard Tee.