Dusty Groove's Review:
An incredibly soulful album -- vastly overlooked, but one of our favorites of the 70s! The set is one of the few ever cut as a leader by drummer Louis Haynes -- a wonderful player who's best known for his classic work with Horace silver -- but who's working here with a superb group of his own, one that includes Frank Strozier on flute and alto, Harold Mabern on piano, and Cecil McBee on bass. All players are completely wonderful -- especially the team of Strozier and Mabern, who work here with the soulful power of their best pairings from the time. And an added bonus to the set is vocalist Leon Thomas, who guest stars on two great tracks -- "Little Sunflower" and "Nisha" -- and delivers some of his only good work of the late 70s! The album's got a version of Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower" that's worth the price of the record alone, as it's one of of Thomas' best recordings ever, and an essential chapter in his career. Other tracks include "What's Going On", "Kelly Colors", and "Nisha". (Original pressing. Cover has a large name in pen on front & back, and notes on back.)
And Scott Yanow Says:
Although best known for his work as a valuable sideman, drummer Louis Hayes has led some stimulating sessions of his own through the years. This somewhat obscure but valuable LP is most notable for featuring the unique singer Leon Thomas on "Little Sunflower" and "Nisha" and for giving ample solo space to underrated altoist Frank Strozier, who doubles here on flute. With keyboardist Harold Mabern, bassist Cecil McBee and a couple of percussionists rounding out the group, Hayes leads his band through a diverse set that includes "Stardust," "What's Goin' On," "Invitation" and "My Favorite Things." Excellent, advanced straight-ahead music.
I Say:
I bought this record for $.99 at Loony Tunes in Boston when I was a kid. I waited for it for years, finally gave up and digitized it. It was released on CD about a week later. The problem: they did the same thing I did -- digitized an LP. This isn't a great record, but half of it is very good. Strozier is in fine form and the band has an energy which I find missing in modern music. Sorry about the quality of the pictures, I used a digital camera -- hand held... it shows. If you are a fan of Mabern, McBee, Strozier or Hayes, you know exactly what to expect of this record.
The Louis Hayes Group
Variety Is The Spice
Gryphon G-787
1. Kelly Colors
2. Little Sunflower
3. Stardust
4. What's Goin' On
5. Invitation
6. Nisha
7. My Favorite Things
8. Dance With Me
9. A Hundred Million Miracles
Louis Hayes - drums
Frank Strozier - alto sax, flute
Harold Mabern - acoustic piano, electric piano
Cecil McBee - bass
Portinho - percussion
Titos Sompa - congas
Leon Thomas - vocal
Download here
14 comments:
http://rapidshare.com/files/83638261/LH_VIS.zip
Digitized using Rega Planar 2 turntable fed into my PC using Adobe Audition
Holy crap! I would have never found your blog without seeing the little exchange over at CIA's Requests board, and then I come here to see you've so quickly fulfilled a request of mine. I don't keep a blog, but if there's anything I can share that you're looking for please don't hesitate to ask.
Well, glad you could make it -- I wish it had been a better incident that brought you by. After much searching, I found the Strozier recording WHAT'S GOIN' ON, and after this version, I was really disappointed in it. But disappointing Frank is better than 9/10 of the shit currently being produced.
Wow, Loony Tunes! I sold this and about 500 + other records to those guys back in the mid 80's... I haven't seen this one in years, wonder if it's the same.
Nice blog.
Thanks! Man, I loved that store. I bought this new back then, but I'm willing to bet we shared some of the same records in that time. Where in NH?
I'm in Derry, went to school at Emerson, practically lived in record stores back then. Nuggets & Planet in Kenmore Square, Newbury comics on Newbury, Mystery Train and another one whose name I can't remember in Cambridge. I sold a truck load to each of those stores. Are you in NH?
In the seacoast area. I didn't go to school there, but my father would make monthly pilgrimages and I got to go every so often. Kind of miss albums just because of those days.
I agree, the record store was much more of a social, face to face thing. It's different now, too immediate. I remember the quest for some records lasted a few years! The thrill of the hunt was great. On the other hand I do like the Bullmoose vibe. There's one in Salem but I prefer the one over by you.
Interestingly, I'm not a big Bull Moose fan. I liked my Dad's description: "I just feel dirty when I come out of there -- I don't know what it is."
I have a grudge against them because they put my favorite store, Rock Bottom Records, out of business. AND, I have two albums in their inventory, but can't seem to get them to put them on the shelf (or monitor my sales when they *are* out).
For a real treat, check out Dyno Records in Newburyport. They're located in a little shop on a side street. Tough to find, but well worth it. Best Avant Garde selection I've seen in America.
There is one good thing about Bull Moose in Portsmouth, and that's that Tom Colletta, the front man for Jupiter 2 and one-time member of Ghandi's Lunchbox. He's one of the few *real* Portsmouth people left who hasn't been victimized to the point of elimination by the area's recent gentrification. Just look for the guy in the cowboy hat who looks like a Dr. Who extra. One of the most intelligent and musically learned people you'll ever encounter.
Yeah, Dyno is a great place. What albums do you have out? I'll look for them.
Trio Encompas - Trio Encompas
Trio Encompas - Live on the Vaughan Mall... that reminds me, I have to bring that stuff to Dyno.
Also, www.cdbaby.com/all/thomkeith
If you get a wild hair across your ass, do yourself a favor and AVOID Seagull's Paradise. I've always regretted releasing it.
Thank you.
Lovely album!! I'm putting a post on my blog sending folks to you to get it so you will notice some extra traffic
Hey, thanks for the Strzier flood!, love his tone!!
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