Joe Sample – Voices In The Rain (1981/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Joe Sample – Voices In The Rain (1981/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 41:30 minutes | 1,46 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

There is a fair amount of variety on this reasonably enjoyable but not essential release from keyboardist Joe Sample. Most of the tunes fall into the area of funky crossover with strong melodies, danceable rhythms and few chances taken. Flora Purim takes the vocal on “Shadows” and is joined by two other singers for the spirited “Burnin’ Up The Carnival.” The acoustic “Sonata In Solitude” has violinist L. Subramaniam, guitarist John Collins and bassist Ray Brown, but that is a one-time departure on what is basically a commercial set geared for radio airplay. –Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

01. Joe Sample – Voices In The Rain (06:29)
02. Joe Sample – Burning Up The Carnival (07:22)
03. Joe Sample – Greener Grass (05:25)
04. Joe Sample – Eye Of The Hurricane (05:18)
05. Joe Sample – Dream Of Dreams (04:47)
06. Joe Sample – Shadows (06:11)
07. Joe Sample – Sonata In Solitude (05:57)

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