Solo 1981

John Hammond has kept the blues flame burning steadily for over three decades. His interpretations of songs from the traditional blues repertoire, whether played Delta-style solo acoustic, or with a citified electric band, ring with passion, power, and commitment. On this 1981 album, he is accompanied on the band tracks by a topshelf New York group, including bassist Sherman Holmes and drummer Charles Otis.

Once New Trolls ended up all the legal proceedings that led them to split into many different musical strands and other projects (Ibis, N.T. Atomic System, Tritons - real and fake ones -, Johnny from Tritons, and so on…), they reunited with “Concerto grosso n. 2”, published several reprints, live albums and compilations, and even entered the dance trend of the time with “Aldebaran” (1978), naturally followed by the Bee Gees-like “New Trolls” (1979), a.k.a. “La Barchetta” from its cover image. In 1981, with a line-up that reduced from 6 to 4 elements due to D’Adamo (bassist and lyricist) and Usai (keyboardist, who started an unsuccessful solo career), De Scalzi, Di Palo (the new bass player), Belloni (lead guitarist) and Belleno wrote “FS”, a back-to-the roots release, even in the shape of a concept album…

You Want It, You Got It is the second studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, released on July 28, 1981 by A&M Records. This was the album that created Adams' signature sound, which he has maintained throughout his recording career. Unlike Adams' debut album where he and Jim Vallance played most of the instruments themselves, You Want It You Got It was recorded live in the studio. The album was recorded at Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec over a two-week period during the spring of 1981 and was mixed at The Power Station in New York City. The album was originally to be titled Bryan Adams Hasn't Heard Of You Either (due to critics' indifference to his first album and singles) but Adams' sense of humour didn't make it past the gatekeepers at the record company, who opted for the safer title.

Although Joel Dorn's 32 Jazz label mostly concentrates on repackaging reissues from the Muse catalog, there have been some important discoveries. This 1998 CD has a previously unreleased Sonny Stitt club appearance that took place in San Francisco's Keystone Korner in September 1981. It is a special all-star concert in which Stitt splits his time between tenor and alto and is joined by pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Herbie Lewis, drummer Billy Higgins, and (on a few numbers) vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, altoist Richie Cole, and John Handy on alto and tenor. Stitt, a master of the bebop vocabulary, was not an innovator, but he was a fiery competitor who could blow most musicians off the stand when he chose to. In this case, he had a lot of respect for Cole and Handy, but still played at his best, just in case…

In August 1981, Garfunkel released his fifth solo album Scissors Cut (US No. 113, UK No. 51). This album included the Gallagher & Lyle hit "A Heart in New York" (US No. 61). The UK version contains the track "The Romance" rather than "Bright Eyes". The album was co-produced by Roy Halee, who also co-produced the Simon & Garfunkel albums, including Bridge over Troubled Water. Paul Simon makes a brief appearance on "In Cars" performing background vocals. Near the end of the song, Garfunkel sings lines from "Scarborough Fair" – an old English ballad covered by Simon and Garfunkel on the album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme). The album is dedicated to his late partner, Laurie Bird, and includes a partial photograph of her on the rear cover.

One of the corner stones of our record collection. A real jazz funk gem that we never stopped listening since 1981. Featuring the cream of 70's musicians like Herbie Hancock, Lee Ritenour and Jerry Hey, this intense album is a must have for every jazz funk collector. Don't miss out Freddie Hubbard's great flugelhorn solo on our favorite piece " By All Means ".