Joe Sample – Carmel (1979/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Joe Sample – Carmel (1979/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 39:43 minutes | 1,50 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MCA Records

One of the many jazzmen who started out playing hard bop but went electric during the fusion era, Joe Sample was, in the late ’50s, a founding member of the Jazz Crusaders along with trombonist Wayne Henderson, tenor saxman Wilton Felder, and drummer Stix Hooper. The Crusaders’ debt to Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers wasn’t hard to miss — except that the L.A.-based unit had no trumpeter, and became known for its unique tenor/trombone front line. Sample, a hard-swinging player who could handle chordal and modal/scalar improvisation equally well, stuck to the acoustic piano during The Crusaders’ early years — but would place greater emphasis on electric keyboards when the band turned to jazz-funk in the early ’70s and dropped “Jazz” from its name. Though he’d recorded as a trio pianist on 1969’s obscure Fancy Dance, 1978’s Rainbow Seeker was often described as his first album as a leader. In contrast to the gritty music The Crusaders became known for, Sample’s own albums on MCA and, later, Warner Bros. and PRA generally favored a very lyrical and introspective jazz-pop approach. Joe Sample died in September 2014 in Houston, Texas at the age of 75. –Alex Henderson

Pianist Joe Sample is a pioneer at creating melodic and accessible pop-jazz. His recordings of the 1970s and ’80s were consistently popular, especially this best-seller. Sample is joined on most selections by fellow Crusader Stix Hooper on drums, electric bassist Abraham Laboriel, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and, often, guitarist Dean Parks. Flutist Hubert Laws guests on “Midnight and Mist.” The memorable melodies, clean harmonics, and Sample’s fine playing make Carmel a high point among his solo recordings. –Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

01. Joe Sample – Carmel (05:39)
02. Joe Sample – Paintings (05:24)
03. Joe Sample – Cannery Row (04:05)
04. Joe Sample – A Rainy Day In Monterey (05:44)
05. Joe Sample – Sunrise (05:25)
06. Joe Sample – Midnight And Mist (06:53)
07. Joe Sample – More Beautiful Each Day (06:30)

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