Harvey Mason: Earth Mover (1976)

In the 1970s, Harvey Mason was one of those busy L.A.-based sessions players who had one foot in jazz and the other in R&B. The drummer backed his share of soul heavyweights (including Earth, Wind & Fire, Aretha Franklin, James Brown and the Brothers Johnson), but he never lost his jazz chops. Recorded in 1976, Earthmover is among the mostly instrumental albums that Mason provided during his stay at Arista. This self-produced LP, which finds him trying to balance commercial and creative considerations, is a mixed bag. Some of the material is strong, especially the cerebral fusion item "No Lands Man" (which boasts Jan Hammer on keyboards) and the funky "Bertha Baptist." And the contemplative "First Summer" is an enjoyable track that reminds the listener of the underrated Hawaiian funk/fusion outfit Seawind, which isn't surprising because it was co-written and arranged by Seawind's Bob Wilson. Meanwhile, some of the more commercial jazz-funk and pop-jazz tracks are less impressive and tend to sound overproduced. But while Earthmover is uneven, it has more ups than downs. Overall, this isn't a bad record, although Mason is capable of being more consistent.

Tracklist:
1 K. Y. And the Curb-Mason, Peters 4:58
2 Sho Nuff Groove-Johnson, Mason 3:56
3 The Mase-Mason 4:13
4 Sweet Mercy-Mason, Peters 5:54
5 Earthmover Prelude-Mason 0:58
6 Bertha Baptist-James 5:46
7 First Summer-Mason, Wilson 6:12
8 No Lands Man-Hammer 4:22
9 When I'm with You-Mason 4:25
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Patti Austin: Carry On (1991)

Patti Austin, a gifted singer when she gets good material, works in murky waters on this '91 release. There are so many different things offered, from fusion and pop to more mainstream jazz and soul, that the album has no main course or personality. On the other hand, Austin does sing everything well, and GRP has enlisted enough of their session pros to ensure that the musical support is excellent. It's well-played, superbly sung filler. ~ Ron Wynn

Personnel: Patti Austin (background vocals); David Pack (vocals, guitar, accordion, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, drums, percussion, programming, keyboard programming, background vocals); David Benoit (guitar, synthesizer, string synthesizer); Terry McMillan (harmonica, drums, congas, tambourine, percussion); Michael Paulo (saxophone); Greg Phillinganes (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion, keyboard programming, background vocals); Wayne Linsey (piano, keyboard programming); The Riddler (keyboards, programming); John Skippy Lehmkuhl (synthesizer, percussion, programming); George Perilli (drums); Burleigh Drummond (percussion); Erik Hanson, Larry Williams , Rod Temperton (programming); Edie Lehmann, Suzie Benson, James Ingram , Lynn Davis , Michael McDonald , Sally Dworsky, Jean McClain (background vocals)

Tracklist:

01. Carry On (5:14)
02. Givin' In To Love (4:59)
03. I Will Remember You (6:42)
04. How Can I Be Sure (3:41)
05. Why Did She Come In With You (5:09)
06. I Just Can't Let Go (4:56)
07. Monday Monday (4:47)
08. The More I Think About It (5:32)
09. Nobody To Dance With (5:06)
10. I'll Be Waiting For You (3:57)
11. (Don't Know) Whether To Laugh Or Cry (6:20)

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Patti Austin: The Real Me (1988)

And how! Austin tackles standards such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and succeeds brilliantly. Her version of Comden, Green, and Bernstein's "I Can Cook, Too" is enough by itself to make this a pick.

Personnel: Patti Austin (vocals, sound effects, background vocals); David Pack (vocals, guitar, congas, percussion, background vocals); Michael McDonald (vocals, piano, background vocals); Howard Hewett, James Ingram, Tata Vega (vocals, background vocals); David Lindley (guitar, slide guitar); Earl Klugh (guitar, classical guitar); Chuck Berghofer, Nathan Kaproff, James Getzoff, Dan Neufeld, Harris Goldman, Alan DeVeritch, Joy Lyle, Franklyn D'Antonio, Arthur Royval, Richard Elegino, Charles Veal, Vicki Sylvester, Barry Gold, Henry Ferber, Don McInnes, Hershel Wise, Sid Sharp, Harry Shlutz, Cynthia Morrow, Ray Kelley, Nils Oliver, Arnold Belnick, Jacqueline Brand, Bonnie Douglas, Arni Egilsson, Stephen Erdody, Gayle Levant, Daniel Rothmuller, Evan Wilson, Michael Markman (strings); Bruce Hornsby (accordion); John Rotella (clarinet); Dan Higgins (woodwinds, saxophone); Ernie Watts (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Greg Huckins, Michael Brecker (saxophone); Jon Faddis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (trumpet); Bill Waltrous, Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Red Callender (tuba); David Benoit (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Richard Tee (piano, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (synthesizer, bass synthesizer); C. Roscoe Beck (upright bass); Burleigh Drummond (drums, snare drum, percussion); George Perilli (drums, percussion); John "J.R." Robinson , Jeff Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (shaker, percussion, sound effects); Luther Vandross, Amy Holland (background vocals)

Tracklist:

01. I Can Cook Too (5:14)
02. Stockholm Sweetnin' (1:37)
03. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (4:15)
04. True Love (3:49)
05. Across The Alley From The Alamo (3:47)
06. How Long Has This Been Going On (4:07)
07. Lazy Afternoon (5:46)
08. Love Letters (3:55)
09. They Can't Take That Away From Me (3:59)
10. Mood Indigo (3:26)
11. Cry Me A River (4:21)
12. Someone Is Standing Outside (3:59)
13. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most (5:08)
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