Forums

More 1970's Tjader on Fantasy: 4 - Fritz the Cat (1972) In between Ed Bogas recruited Tjader to play some for the soundtrack to Fritz the Cat: He can be heard on the remake of his 1955 piece Mamblues, but also (uncredited) on Duke's Theme and the last minute of the last track. There was a single CD reissue in Japan; the US label coupled it with another Bogas soundtrack:   5 - Puttin' It Together (1974) Another live album, this time Mike Wolff plays electric piano. Again, not as exciting as the earlier live albums. It never saw a reissue.   6 - Primo (1973) In Fabruary 1973 Tjader was in New York for another stidio album under Bogas' supervision, but before that was completed, an album with a Latino band around Charlie Palmieri was nailed down in only two days, with Tito Pente participating. It is up to par with any New York Latino Jazz album of the time and was reissued on an Orginial Jazz Classics CD with an alternate take added:   7 - Last Bolero In Berkeley (1973) Only in September did they find the time to complete the album they had started in February, with different line-ups and a strange mixture of styles, including Bogas' arrangement of Ravel's Bolero, probably to profit on its use in the movie Last Tango In Paris. Only then did Tjader manage to include a tribute to his friend Gary McFarland, who had passed in 1971.  This was on CD only in Japan.   8 - Tambu (1974) Only one week later the combined bands of Cal Tjader and Charlie Byrd entered the studio for three days to record a cooperative album - it may have been producer Orrin Keepnews' idea, who was by then freelancing for Fantasy, among others. Somehow it does not really convince me - the rhythm sections do not really match, no matter what the mix of players is. Byrd's drummer, has problems with the 7/8 rhythm of the title track. On the last day, they still had to nail a final track for the Bolero album. The whole thing does not sound as relaxed as it should have been. It was on CD as Original Jazz Classic.   9 - Last Night WhenWe Were Young (1975) This collaboration with pianist/arranger Frank Strazzeri recorded immediately after the Bolero and Tambu sessions, turns out to be the winner among Tjader's albums with strings. The arrangements are delicate, never obtrusive, like an organic part of the band. A masterful display of tasteful ballad playing. Old friend Eddie Duran makes a guest appearance. Too bad this was never reissued.     10 - Amazonas (1976) Now here is your perfect mix of the latest Brazilian fusion stylings the Tjader's Latin Jazz feeling. The cast of players is impressive: Egberto Gismonti, George Duke, David Amato, Hermeto Pascoal, Robertinho Silva, Raul de Souza .... Airto Moreira was producing, and it was him and Tjader who worked out the arrangements together, not George Duke as stated on the back cover. This includes the best version of Joao Donato's Amazonas, which Tjader recorded several times. (Donato was his favourite Brazilian composer and friend since they met in 1959 when Donato moved to California). I played this album hundreds of times when it was issued. Just great. The OJC CD includes a longer alternate take.    11 - Cal Tjader At Grace Cathedral (1977) Tjader and his band stepped in for the unexpectedly deceased Vince Guaraldi, who had recorded a successful album at the Cathedral. Poncho Sanchez had just joined the band and prooved to be a stabilizing figure until Tjader's death, as was bassist Rob Fisher and drummer Pete Riso. Lonnie Hewitt was once again back in the band. This has a similar choice of tunes as Puttin' It Together, but the band grooves a lot more. It was on CD with a slightly altered title.   12 - Guarabe (1977) At the time this was recored, Hewitt was out again - he and Tjader had arguments time and again over the fifteen years they played together. Clare Fischer had replaced him, and was in his phase of experimenting with keyboards. On the title track they overdubbed multiple electric piano, guitar, and bass lines for a stunning orchestral effect.  Besides that you have a great remake of Black Orchid, and some of Tjader's best ballad playing. For CD reissue it was coupled with the live album the same band recorded shortly after.   By this time Fantas had turned into a pop label, which affected the style of the albums by jazz artists on the label. For the more or less mainstrean jazz artists, the Galaxy label was revitalized with an interesting artist roster. Tjader had two releases. 13 - Here (1977)  & 14 -  Cuban Fantasy (2003) Tjader's working band recorded at the GReat American Music Hall on June 17 & 18, 1977. A first selection of six tracks was issued on Here. The twofer reissue CD pictured above omitted one track! More unreleased tracks were on a separate CD in 2003. These are even better, IMHO, and reveal how tight this band was.    15 - Breathe Easy (1978) Tjader's swan song for the Fantasy label group was this intimate studio session with old friends Allen Smith on trumept (an underrated California resident), Monty Budwig, and Shelly Manne, and his favoured veteran pianist, Hank Jones. A relaxed and tasteful album. On CD it was coupled with his very first 10" LP for  the label, thus the title, Extremes. 

Got one with a beat up box and book but CD's in great condition at a wonderful price:

2009 Omnivore Recordings CD

Mike, when Skye folded, did Cal have options regarding whom to sign with, or was only Fantasy interested? Living in the East, it was my experience that the Fantasy albums were not often seen in the stores.  Others may have had different experiences.

Bob Dylan “The Cutting Edge Collector’s Edition” disc 11   298×300 5.48 KB