J.J. Johnson - J&K: Stonebone '1970 [2022]

Tracks list

Oddly, the third of the J&K A&M projects was released only in Japan, though it
was given a U.S. catalogue number (SP 3027), and one can only speculate as to
why -- the diminishing American audience for jazz in 1969, producer Creed
Taylor's impending move to start his own label. But the fact is that this is the
best album of the three -- and the one closest in touch with the crucial
improvisatory impulse of jazz. It is a prototype of the CTI formula of the '70s,
allowing first-class jazz musicians to groove at length with minimal shaping on
the production end to give these tracks drama. Johnson especially enjoys his
freedom here, with plenty of room to stretch out joyously. We also hear the
fluid inventive guitar of George Benson in full youthful bloom, Herbie Hancock
is caught near the beginning of his funky experiments with electronic keyboards
(augmented by Bob James and Ross Tompkins on "Recollections") and Ron Carter and
Grady Tate have never played better on a Creed Taylor production. If you somehow
stumble upon this superb import, grab it or hope that A&M comes to its senses
and lets you hear it someday. 


Tracks:

01 - Dontcha Hear Me Callin' To Ya? 14:11
02 - Musings 04:32
03 - Mojo 11:28
04 - Recollections 07:37 

Personnel:

J. J. Johnson – trombone
Kai Winding – trombone
Herbie Hancock – keyboards
Bob James – keyboards
Ross Tompkins – keyboards
George Benson – guitar
Ron Carter – double bass
Grady Tate – drums

Related artists