This jazz recording is considered as the magnum opus of master “drummer extraordinaire, composer, arranger, producer, and leader Norman Connors in a career that has spanned 4 decades. This recording is what many will consider the debut of the legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater who has since gone on to a brilliant career. Connors put together an all-star group with Herbie Hancock and Onaje Allan Gumbs on piano and Fender Rhodes, Dr. Eddie Henderson on trumpet/flugelhorn, Carlos Garnett on tenor/soprano saxes, Gary Bartz on alto/soprano saxes, Buster Williams on bass, drummer/vocalist Bill Summers and Kenneth Nash on percussion, and effective, crucial cameos by master flautist Hubert Laws. On the song, Love From the Sun, Connors added Nathan Rubin on violin and Terry Adams on cello.

The best of the best begins with the exotic theme of Hancocks Revelation, doubled wordlessly and beautifully by Ms. Bridgewater over Williams bouncing ostinato bass pattern with flights of fancy from Hubert Laws on flute, and superb, luminous solos from Hendersons exotic trumpet, Garnett on soprano, and Hancock on Fender Rhodes. Garnetts Carlos II is another great composition with remarkable solos. Connors own Drums Around The Worlds is influenced by African and latin rhythms with emotional vocals from Summers and a drum-only section that builds in intensity. One of the high points of the album is Dee Dee Bridgewaters awesome, glorious vocalizing on Richard Clays lovely Love From The Sun, in one of the greatest performances in her career, arranged by Gumbs. Elmer Gibsons Kumakucha (The Sun Has Risen) is a blazing display of uptempo musicianship by Connors driving drums, the propulsive congas of Summers and Nash, and exciting solos from Bartz, Henderson on trumpet, and Hancocks furious piano solo. The set ends with a marvelous Holy Waters composed and arranged by Garnett in a scorching performance by Bridgewater on vocals, Garnett unleashing one of the greatest solos in his storied career, followed by Gumbs astute solo.

My Highest Recommendation.
By John Braswell

• Re-mastering by: Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London

PPAN-BDS5142 -Artist-Norman Connors

• Internal ID: JIT
• Format: Vinyl
• Format Detail: LP Black
• Handling Note: **Please allow an additional 5 business days for this item’s shipment.**
• Genre: Jazz