Buddy Miles was not only a great soul singer, and all-around music men, he was also one of the best drummers ("The Baddest Of The Bad") of an era. He was a founder member of the Electric Flag and played the drums on Jimi Hendrix best-selling album Electric Ladyland. Live is a tour de force of funk drenched rock and soul. The intro is a manic reading of "Joe Tex" and "Take It Off Him And Put It On Me" followed by a killer version of Neil Young's "Down By The River". The album closes with a rousing reading of "Them Changes" and a funky "We Got to Live Together," almost unrecognizable from the earlier version that Miles recorded with Hendrix.
Purists who've followed Scott over the years may balk at such a commercial collection, but the music is as fun as the guys who are playing it, so who can argue? Scott wrote only two of the nine songs, and interestingly enough, "Desire" and "We Belong Together" are the least exciting tunes, thought they mellow out the pace a bit. Covers of the Average White Band's '74 hit "Pick up the Pieces," Buddy Miles' song as the energetic title cut, Earth, Wind & Fire's brassy "Serpentine Fire," and Coltrane's bluesy "Dahomey Dance" are party tunes all the way, and this band featuring L.A. clubbers Barnaby Finch, Pat Kelley, and Tim Landers help the expressive Scott bring the passionate funk to life.
With a 40-year career of recordings that includes classics by everyone from George Benson, Chick Corea and Jaco Pastorius to Eric Clapton, Paul Simon and Steely Dan, Steve Gadd has a well-deserved reputation as the ultimate session drummer. Gadd doesn’t release many solo projects, but when he does-especially one with baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber, organist Joey DeFrancesco and guitarist Paul Bollenback-it’s cause for celebration.
Fantastic selection of jazz/rock/fusion. All the greats are here & some id never heard of before, but have now seeked out some real treasures.Some of these musicians were regarded as the best in the world. It's easy to hear why.
Band of Gypsys was the only live recording authorized by Jimi Hendrix before his death. It was recorded and released in order to get Hendrix out from under a contractual obligation that had been hanging over his head for a couple years. Helping him out were longtime friends Billy Cox on bass and Buddy Miles on the drums because the Experience had broken up in June of 1969, following a show in Denver. This rhythm section was vastly different from the Experience. Buddy Miles was an earthy, funky drummer in direct contrast to the busy, jazzy leanings of Mitch Mitchell. Noel Redding was not really a bass player at all but a converted guitar player who was hired in large part because Hendrix liked his hair! These new surroundings pushed Hendrix to new creative heights…