CD Reviews

Music on the Web (UK)

Webmaster: Len Mullenger

[ Jazz index ] [Nostalgia index]  [ Classical MusicWeb ] [ Gerard Hoffnung ]


Reviewers: Don Mather, Dick Stafford, Marc Bridle, John Eyles, Ian Lace, Colin Clarke



CTI – The Master collection Sony Jazz 502287 2

 


Crotchet
midprice 

CD1
  1. Also Sprach Zarathustra – Deodato
  2. Don’t Mess with Mr T – Stanley Turrentine
  3. Sunflower – Milt Jackson
  4. Blue Selah – Johnny Hammond
  5. My Latin Brother – George Benson
  6. Mr Blues – Hank Crawford
  7. Pontelo – Astrid Gilberto
  8. Gibraltar - Stanley Turrentine

CD2

  1. La Cuna – Ray Barretto
  2. California Dreamin’ – George Benson
  3. Take Ten – Paul Desmond
  4. Funk In a Deep Freeze – Chet Baker
  5. Home is Where the Hatred is – Esther Phillips
  6. Sky Dive – Freddie Hubbard
  7. Do It Again – Deodata
  8. People Make the World Go Round – Milt Jackson
  9. We’re In Love – Patti Austin
  10. Wave – Paul Desmond
  11. Jaws – Lalo Schifrin

 

This selection by DJ Peter Young is taken from various Albums released by Creed Taylor’s Soul Jazz label CTI. This double album heralds the release by Sony Jazz of 20 of CTI’s albums. CTI was opened for business in 1967, by producer, trumpeter and A& R guru Creed Taylor.

It would seem that the aim of Mr Taylor was to showcase Jazz musicians in such a way as to make their records more saleable to a larger audience. The evidence of this album is that he succeeded and I have no doubt at all that you will hear a great deal of all these new releases on Jazz FM and any of the other commercial stations which feature jazz. Every track is brilliantly produced and the musicians are all at the top of their profession, so commercial success should be assured. Whilst I enjoyed the compilation greatly as a musical feast, I am not sure that this is great jazz. For my taste it has been a bit sanitised for the consumption of the general public. If this helps jazz musicians in making a living, then I applaud it however. Perhaps it is just a quirk of mine, but I always worry about jazz that could be played in the Supermarket to shoppers without someone complaining, however that does not make it bad and I am always pleased to listen again to Paul Desmond, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson who are personal favourites.

The album does not give detailed personnel for each session, but I have no doubt that the individual albums this selection is taken from will. If your bag is jazz funk then there is a great deal to enjoy here, for the straight ahead jazzer buy this sampler and make your own mind up on Mr Taylor’s work!


Don Mather

 


Return to Index

Reviews from previous months


You can purchase CDs, tickets and musician's accessories and Save around 22% with these retailers: