HutchFan

Excellent. Top-shelf Hawk!

I enjoy George Benson -- both his singing & his guitar work. My father loved Weekend in L.A. and played it often. I still have the album from my dad's collection. It's music I grew up with.

Next up: Sam Rivers' Rivbea All-Star Orchestra - Inspiration (RCA Victor, 1999) Calling this group an "All-Star Orchestra" is no exaggeration: - Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Sam Rivers - Tenor Saxophone – Chico Freeman, Gary Thomas - Alto Saxophone – Greg Osby, Steve Coleman - Baritone Saxophone – Hamiet Bluiett - Trumpet – Baikida Carroll, James Zollar, Ralph Alessi, Ravi Best - Trombone – Art Baron, Joseph Bowie, Ray Anderson - Baritone Horn – Joseph Daley - Tuba – Bob Stewart - Bass – Doug Mathews - Drums – Anthony Cole

Tito Puente - Night Beat (RCA, 1957) Koch CD reissue

NP: I agree that Kako's music is much more classically-oriented than, say, Satoh or Kikuchi. Even so, I think he's made some excellent music. For example, I like these two albums very much: I've never heard Colour of Dream -- it sounds like I need to -- or Valencia.

Tico All-Stars - Descargas at the Village Gate (Vampi Soul) Originally released on three Tico LPs in 1966 Trumpet – Pedro Boulong, Victor Paz, Vincent Frisaura, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros Trombone – Jose Rodrigues Alto Saxophone – Bobby Porcelli Tenor Saxophone – Alfred Abreu Flute – Johnny Pacheco Vibraphone, Timbales – Tito Puente Piano – Eddie Palmieri, Charlie Palmieri, Richard Maldonado Bass – Bobby Rodriguez, Israel "Cachao" Lopez Timbales – Jimmy Sabater Bongos, Cowbell – John Rodriguez Congas – Joe Calderon, Ray Barretto Cowbell – Francisco "Chino" Pozo Vocals – Jose "Cheito" Feliciano, Rafael "Chivirico" Davila, Ramon "Monguito" Sardiñas, Santos "Santico" Colon

It's surprisingly good. Or, more accurately, I should say that I like it very much. Some of it might initially strike you as cheesy, but keep listening -- because it will grow on you. Honestly, I think Tito was an astounding arranger. Plus, I find his approach to rhythm irresistible.

Arturo O'Farrill ‎- Risa Negra (ZOHO, 2009)

Now streaming: Tito Puente & His Orchestra - My Fair Lady Goes Latin (Roulette, 1964)

Rush was the meat-and-potatoes music of my high school years -- along with Genesis. Of course, I don't listen to them like I used to. But I still love them.

My daughter bought this for me: She only gave it to me last night. Looking forward to diving in.

Foundation: The Doc Watson Guitar Instrumental Collection, 1964-1998 (Sugar Hill)

Now spinning, prompted by this thread: Sal Mosca - For You (Choice, 1979)

For a steaming hot slab of funk, Moon Germs is hard to beat. If there's more available, I'd love to hear it.

Seconded!

Now on my turntable: Egberto Gismonti - Dança das Cabeças (ECM, 1977) with percussionist Naná Vasconcelos My admiration for Gismonti continues to grow. For years, my impressions of him were WAY off the mark. Incidentally, my copy of this LP is a German pressing. AQ is outtasight -- soooo much better than U.S. pressings, even for a someone like me with less than ideal hearing and a solid-but-nothing-special stereo system. I think Outback is the pick of the litter among Farrell's CTI's.

Nice!

Listening to the second LP from this 1970s 2-fer, originally released as All Mornin' Long. The original LP is one of my favorite covers: There's just a RIGHTNESS about Red Garland's playing that always gets me. Oh yeah. Outstanding LP!

Such a cool record.

Two mind-blowers, for sure!

More Papa Jo:

Next up: Jo Jones - The Main Man (Pablo, 1976)

Now spinning: Sue Raney - All by Myself (Capitol, 1964) arranged & conducted by Ralph Carmichael