Hubert Laws Rite

Recorded in 1973 as a foray away from the Modern Jazz Quartet, Milt Jackson's second entry on the CTI label is also one of its highlights. This is one of Creed Taylor's finest productions both in terms of material and sidemen. Drummer Steve Gadd, flutist Hubert Laws, bassist Ron Carter, and pianist Cedar Walton accompany Jackson on the majority of the album. Indeed, Jackson's ability to swing funky is evidenced to delightful extremes on "Old Devil Moon," with a rolling cymbal shakeout from Gadd, whose rim shots and tempo-pushing musculature are a sharp contrast to those of the MJQ's Connie Kay. Likewise, Laws, whose playing is usually over the top, stays inside melodic nuances here and provides Jackson with an essential harmonic foil. And Ron Carter is playing throughout with a popping edge he never had before or since.

Wes Montgomery - Down Here On The Ground (1968) {Verve Originals B0012700-02 rel 2009}
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© 1968, 2009 Verve / UMG | B0012700-02
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Guitar

Wes Montgomery acceded to the whims of producer Creed Taylor for this, one of the very first CTI productions that would, over the next decade, popularize jazz with string backdrops or rhythm & blues beats. Much to either the delight or chagrin of urban or traditional jazz fans, the music changed, and Montgomery was in the middle, though his delightful playing was essentially unchanged. On the plus side, the legendary guitarist was allowed to collaborate with great musicians like bassist Ron Carter, pianist Herbie Hancock, flutist Hubert Laws, and percussionist Ray Barretto. While the small orchestral trappings never dominate this session, the seeds for a more grandiose style of music had been planted with the release of this date in 1968.

Chick Corea - The Ultimate Adventure (2006)
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© 2006 Concord / Stretch Records | 0013431904526
Jazz / Fusion / Contemporary Jazz

A lengthy tone poem based on the L. Ron Hubbard story THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE, Chick Corea's album of the same name is an evocative excursion into jazz fusion. With the help of old friends and cohorts (Airto Moreira, Steve Gadd) and the members of his new band, Touchstone, Corea has created a sound narrative that is as enticing and image-filled as its literary inspiration.
Hubert Laws's sinuous flute and the use of palmas and auxiliary percussion give ULTIMATE ADVENTURE an exotic, Middle Eastern sound, with wisp-like phrases of melody floating above a simmering bed of rhythm. Corea's keys playing is as adventurous as ever, veering between classically-infused flourishes, hard rhythmic comping, and deliciously abstract melodies.

Originally released as a two-record set in 1973, Soul Box has in the past been issued as two separate volumes, both on vinyl and compact discs, although the CD versions were available for only the shortest of time. To this date, this set has never been reissued in its entirety and in a fashion that recalls the original packaging and graphics. It’s a sad state of affairs for what is Washington’s finest moment in the spotlight. With arrangements by Bob James, the saxophonist covers a diverse set of numbers including standards, pop ditties, and original material. In typical Creed Taylor fashion, the supporting cast is nothing short of top shelf, with Richard Tee, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Eric Gale, Hubert Laws, and Airto being just a few of the names on the roster.