Review / One of the most consistent jazz/funk fusion groups throughout the 70′s, The Blackbyrds hold it down once again with this 1977 release, Action. This record is flooded with some amazing harmonies, and deep grooves. Nothing out of the norm for these guys, however, there are a few tracks on the record that venture into the midnight grooves space…which was a nice surprise. But the major pluses here were the unified harmonies, and (continued) synthesizer experimentation by group leader Kevin Toney. He took their sound to a higher level with each release. Enjoy…

Design / This is one of the best covers I own (in the photography realm, not the typography). I like the composition of the group at the starting line, and can’t help but to appreciate the essence of the time period through the sneakers, wristbands, headbands, nappy fro’s, eyeglasses, etc. Visually, it speaks to the word “Action” without any of them actually being in physical motion, they’re all in a static state. However, one can feel the momentum building up, leading to the action thats about to ensue.

Info / Artist: The Blackbyrds / Album: Action / Year: 1977 / Label: Fantasy

The Blackbyrds / Mysterious Vibes

• The Blackbyrds - “Mysterious Vibes”

The Blackbyrds / Dreaming About You

• The Blackbyrds - “Dreaming About You”

The Blackbyrds / Soft & Easy

• The Blackbyrds - “Soft & Easy”

Review / Composer David Axelrod doesn’t disappoint with his debut release, 1968′s Song of Innocence. Axelrod’s albums generally tend to be one long theme, broken down into segments. This particular album is heavy on drum breaks, strings and bass guitar, and it carries on as such all the way through. The sound is funky, dirty, but with a little rock influence sprinkled in from time to time. This record is ahead of its time, I’m still amazed that it was recorded in 1968. Definitely one of my top Axelrod LP’s.

Design / The kaleidoscope is always an interesting solution for a cover design, the result will definitely be visually appealing. I really like the symmetry that it creates, horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. Having the art in these bright colors, within a circle, on black really help the image to pop…which in turn makes this a stronger piece of art. Two thumbs up, this is one of my favorite covers.

Info / Artist: David Axelrod / Album: Song of Innocence / Year: 1968 / Label: Capitol

David Axelrod / Holy Thursday

• David Axelrod - “Holy Thursday”

David Axelrod / Urizen

• David Axelrod - “Urizen”

David Axelrod / Song of Innocence

• David Axelrod - “Song of Innocence”

Review / Quirky and obscure, but definitely some good music on this album by Josefa Vobruby, from the Czech Republic. There are  a variety of sounds on this record, influenced from American jazz, funk, and even some classical music. It’s a decent listen, but the cover design puts this one over the top for me.

Design / One of the best covers I’ve ever seen! Odd, but super cool. The album title “Variace” translates to “Variation”, so the two sets of headphones could be a visual for that metaphor, however, I’ve yet to figure out the use of the orange. Josefa Vobruby peeking through the side window giving the nod and fist is a nice touch. The type is simple and  clean, looks to be a tightly-kerned Helvetica.

Info / Artist: Josefa Vobruby / Album: Variace / Year: 1974 / Label: Supraphon

Josefa Vobruby / Let Cmel†ka

• Josefa Vorbruby - “Let Cmel†ka”

Josefa Vobruby / Preludium Cis Moll

• Josefa Vorbruby - “Preludium Cis Moll”

Review / This album marks the change in Roy Ayers’ sound, it also marks the beginning of the Ubiquity era. Ubiquity was his new band, together they created a sound that was never duplicated (in my humble opinion). This LP reflects the sound of jazz, funk, and a little soul…it’s serious in its approach, and packed with nothing but hardcore grooves. It’s also known that on this record, for the first time, Roy Ayers used the fuzz on his vibraphone to create an effect that had never been heard before, the fuzz was known mainly for being used with guitars at the time…so that experiment was not only successful in its output, but it was innovative and groundbreaking as well.

Design / Ubiquity…present, appearing, or found everywhere. I think this cover, in part, just about sums up the definition of the word. I’m always a fan of 70′s cover design that uses tricky photo techniques, simply because these effects were created without the use of computers/photoshop. But this is an intriguing cover overall, from the overlapping repeat imagery, to the slanted typography (which appears to be Futura Extra Bold). The intense stare given off by Ayers in the portrait clues us in to the fact that this will be a statement album. And it totally was.

Info / Artist: Roy Ayers / Album: Ubiquity / Year: 1971 / Label: Polydor

Roy Ayers / Pretty Brown Skin

• Roy Ayers - “Pretty Brown Skin”

Roy Ayers / Love

• Roy Ayers - “Love”

Roy Ayers / Hummin’

• Roy Ayers - “Hummin'”

Review / Drummer Billy Cobham usually brings high energy on most of his albums, Simplicity of Expression is no exception. Here he experiments with some latin influenced tunes, and fuses the sound with jazz…I think he was successful for the most part. Unlike some other drummers, Cobham had what it took to create a solid album, from the arrangements, to the songs with vocals. Some of the vocalists on this lp had interesting voices, which drew me in. Take note to the frequent change-ups and influences from other genres of music.

Design / I really dig this cover. The graphic crop of the background image just beneath the eyes is interesting, followed up by the exact same image in the foreground to reveal the full facial “expression”. Another cool thing about the image double is that the color of Cobham’s shirt was altered to blue. The type treatments are on point as well, understated due to the focus on the photography, but detailed and nicely set on the top left and right corners. Notice the intricate detail of the capital letters.

Info / Artist: Billy Cobham / Album: Simplicity of Expression / Year: 1978 / Label: Columbia

Billy Cobham / Pocket Change

• Billy Cobham - “Pocket Change”

Billy Cobham / Bolinas

• Billy Cobham - “Bolinas”

Billy Cobham / La Guernica

• Billy Cobham - “LaGuernica”

Review / Impulse! is one of my favorite jazz labels, so this album was appealing to me the moment I spotted it. I wasn’t that hip to vibraphonist Milt Jackson, but I figured I’d give it a listen. It’s not a “knock your socks off” type of album, but it’s very chill, at times giving up MAJOR groove, and upbeat blues overtones. Honestly, once I zoned out to “Enchanted Lady”, I was sold on this record.

Design / I’m really digging this one because of the layers. It’s simple, a toy train set where the train is seemingly pulling into a Memphis train station. Up on one of the buildings is a very high contrast black and white photograph of Milt Jackson and Ray Brown, I really dig the bright colors contrasting the black and white. As for the typography, it’s a good use of a tightly-kerned Helvetica, positioned at the top left creating a nice tension.

Info / Artist: Milt Jackson with the Ray Brown Big Band / Album: Memphis Jackson / Year: 1969 / Label: Impulse!

Milt Jackson / Enchanted Lady

• Milt Jackson - “Enchanted Lady”

Milt Jackson / Memphis Junction

• Milt Jackson - “Memphis Junction”

Milt Jackson / Uh Huh

• Milt Jackson - “Uh Huh”

Review
One of the most consistent bands in the history of music, Kool & the Gang deliver a great LP once again! The album is primarily a funk, party type of vibe, however, the jazz element is brought to life in the title track “Wild & Peaceful” (which happens to be an AMAZING piece of music). The thing that always sticks out most about this groups music, is their unique ability to arrange songs, sounds simple…but its not. The way the music is written and performed is a thing of beauty, it’s timeless music, it’s special music. This is easily one of my favorite albums from these guys. Enjoy…

Check out the sound!

Hollywood Swinging

• Play

Jungle Boogie

• Play

Funky Stuff

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Wild and Peaceful

• Play

Design
I absolutely love this cover! The painting has an intentionally abstracted perspective, but a really unique illustration style overall. It also takes the title of the LP very seriously…the composition is made up of several wild animals (animals that typically cannot co-exist), living together peacefully within their environment. The colors are sort of dim overall, but that adds a nice warmth to the piece…which works very nicely with the title track (which I’ve uploaded for your listening pleasure above). Another really nice element is the choice of type! Seeing as though the art is pretty busy, the type needed to find a way to live on the page…the protruding knockout lettering did the trick. Adding a slight arch to the type helps it stand on its own as well. Minor detail like that can go a long way…it’s all about detail, ALWAYS.

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Additional info on Kool & the Gang

Review
One of my top 10 records of all-time…The Blue Path, by Tarika Blue.

This album embodies the “groove”. Killer grooves, midnight grooves, deep grooves etc…all of it lives within the sound of this particular LP. Mellow in its overall tone, but definitely sneaks in some upbeat jams, as well as a little latin flavor. Back when this NYC jazz outfit was playing the circuit, they had a very small following (hence the rareness of any of their work found on wax)…this was mainly due to the fact that the NYC jazz scene was still dominated by purists of the craft. Tarika Blue was FAR from purist, experimenting with their sound…mastering something new, which ultimately made them waaaay ahead of their time. One thing to note about this record is that it uses female vocals only, and a lot of times when we’re dealing with fusion bands, that’s what tends to be the way to go. I think it works quite well, especially since the grooves tend to be so deep, it’s nice to layer a soft voice on top.

Anyway…too much to express, I’m always excited about this record…hopefully you will be to. Enjoy…

Check out the sound!

Dreamflower

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Revelation

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You’ll Be With Me

• Play

Design
Reeeeeeeeally basic album cover, but cool. A few small things that I like here, the time of day in which they shot the cover, capturing all of the beautiful colors in the sky, the light reflections and glares, and how they captured the mellow mood of a NYC cityscape (but simplified it)…preparing the listener for the journey ahead.

The placement of the type, LIKE. The font itself, not so much.

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Additional info on Tarika Blue

Review
Willis was birthed into the Harlem jazz scene, naturally that would be his style once he began creating music. This is his second LP, probably my favorite from his discography. Just a cool vibe throughout, almost like a soundtrack to a lifestyle. Each piece is arranged in such a way that it’s sort of narrating someONE or someTHING…maybe even a thought process. The sound can open up the listener to several interpretations. Give it a listen…

Check out the sound!

Out on the Cost

• Play

Inner Crisis

• Play

Design
This is just a HOT cover. PERIOD. From the photography, to the type placement, to the warmness juxtaposed by the cold stare. Had to buy the album for this reason alone, just so happens that the music was dope.

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Additional info on Larry Willis