Cti Records

Robinsongs brings you perhaps the definitive round up of cool tracks to be released by CTI Records and affiliated label Kudu on a Double CD.

Jim Hall - Youkali (1992) {CTI Records 67226-2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 337 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 133 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 22 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1992 CTI Records | 67226-2
Jazz / Cool / Post Bop / Guitar

Guitarist Jim Hall gets the late-period Creed Taylor CTI treatment on the generally rewarding Youkali set. Extensive overdubbing was used so Chet Baker (who died in 1988) magically appears on three of the six selections. Also teamed with Hall on some numbers are Grover Washington, Jr. (on soprano and tenor), Donald Harrison on soprano, the wordless vocals of Carmen Cuesta (on "Youkali"), a brass section, and various other instruments arranged by Jim Pugh and Don Sebesky. Through it all, Hall plays quite tastefully as usual. The six songs ("Youkali" is a lesser-known Kurt Weill tune and Hall composed the moody "All Across the City") are superior, the arrangements work well, and the guitarist makes all of this work quite worthwhile.

Freddie Hubbard - Red Clay (1970) {CTI Records 40th Anniversary Edition rel 2010}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 435 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 163 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 16 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1970, 2010 CTI / Masterworks Jazz / Sony Music | 88697 76822 2
Jazz / Post Bop / Soul Jazz / Trumpet

Amazing work from Freddie Hubbard – one of his best albums ever! The title cut's a classic, but all cuts on the album are great – and really set a whole new standard for soul jazz in the 70s! Unlike the freer runs of Miles Davis, Freddie takes things into territory here that's open, yet tightly controlled – a really soulful, spiritual vibe that's quite different than any of his later commercial work – or his hardbop of the decade before!

Antonio Carlos Jobim - Stone Flower (1970) {CTI Records 40th Anniversary Edition rel 2010}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 224 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 11 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1970, 2010 CTI / Masterworks Jazz / Sony Music | 88697 77682 2
Jazz / Latin Jazz / Bossa Nova / Brazilian Jazz

One of Antonio Carlos Jobim's greatest records – and a perfect blend of his subtle bossa genius with the moody electric sound of CTI! Jobim plays electric and acoustic piano, guitar, and sings a bit – and Deodato handled the arrangements with a breezy brilliance that matches all the magic of Jobim's wonderful compositions, but gives them a slightly more fluid feel too – in a way that's somewhat more sophisticated than the sound of Jobim's previous CTI outings – Tide and Wave. Other players on the album include Joe Farrell on soprano sax, Hubert Laws on flute, and Airto on percussion – and there's a great mix of Brazilian and American styles on the set – electric, sinister, breezy, and always wonderful!

One of the best all-star sessions ever produced by the legendary Creed Taylor. Actually, this album represented the ressurrection of the CTI label in 1990. Digitally recorded and filmed (in High Definition) "live" at Van Gelder's studio, features such stars as Dizzy Gillespie, Airto, Flora Purim, Anthony Jackson, Art Farmer, John Scofield, and Phil Woods, who play together in such outstanding tracks like Michel Camilo's "Caribe" and Salif Keita's "Wamba", all arranged by Benny Golson.

The 1970s were banner years for Airto Moreira–not only because of his association with Chick Corea's Return to Forever and his work on wife Flora Purim's Milestone dates, but also, because of the generally superb work he did under Creed Taylor's supervision at CTI from 1972-74. One of the five-star gems that the Brazilian percussionist recorded for CTI was Fingers, which employs Purim on percussion and vocals, David Amaro on guitar, Hugo Fattoruso on keyboards and harmonica, Jorge Fattoruso on drums and Ringo Thielmann on electric bass. Produced by Taylor and recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's famous New Jersey studio, this LP demonstrates just how exciting and creative 1970s fusion could be.

Lonnie Smith - Mama Wailer (1971) {2011 CTI-Sony Music Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 227 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 85 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 157 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1971, 2011 CTI Records / Kudu / Sony Music | 88697 94704 2 | CTI Records 40th Anniversary
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Jazz Blues / Soul Jazz / Organ

One of Lonnie Smith's rarest albums – and one of the most obscure records on the landmark Kudu label! The set is one of Smith's most far-reaching from the 70s – a bit in the mode of his earlier records for Blue Note, but with a slightly sweeter quality that shows the shift to Kudu – where Lonnie's Hammond had lost none of its grooving power!