EVERYTHING

4.5 stars. I have to say this short lived band from California has really fascinated me. They released two Jazz based records in the early seventies, the self-titled debut from 1970 and "Everything" that was recorded in San Francisco in 1971 but not released until 1973. This is Woodi Webb's baby, and the man plays vibes. He is the only one on both albums as they were a five piece on the debut then a large eleven piece band for this one. Two female singers are included usually offering up wordless vocals, and we get some male vocals too but this is mostly an instrumental record. Two bass players, one playing double bass, a horn player, drums, piano, congas, vibes, harp and organ.

I loved the sound of this one right from the start. I keep forgetting it was recorded in 1971 making it one of those early Fusion records with lots of percussion bringing "Bitches Brew" to mind but this was first. As far as I can see only the drummer and pianist went on to have careers in music(jazz). Curtis Clark the pianist and Woodi composed the material, in fact the closer is called "Curtis". Both SMOKE albums were released on the German Jazz label MPS which is a perfect fit in my opinion.

So we get seven tracks worth over 42 minutes and the opener "Shelda" was the one tune that took a while to appreciate because it's so mellow until just before 3 minutes when the organ and other instruments amp it up, then back to the mellow. Chilled music to start with the light beats, bass and electric piano which sounds amazing throughout, that reverb and echo bringing Miles' music to mind at this time. "Lobotomy" is haunting and kind of creepy with the vibes and experimental sounds. An interesting collage of sounds including harp.

The title track is 11 minutes long and I'm in love. So trippy with the drums, bass, vibes and congas creating this beautiful base throughout while instruments solo. Again the electric piano is awesome and we also get some bass clarinet(thankyou!) just when you thought this can't get better. Dissonance and then organ to the fore before vibes lead late. "Griffo" is just over 2 minutes of that percussion/beat sound but with the female wordless vocals to great affect.

"Nite Song" is another good one opening with bass and electric piano as female voices join in. "Miss Shirley" opens with some crazy sax and this is the jazziest tune with double bass and it's so trippy too. Again it's an electric piano lover's dream this album. More sax later and killer bass. The closer "Curtis" might be the best although I will reserve that honour to the title track. There is some similarities between the two songs the way both trip along and the sax brought NUCLEUS to mind here plus we get some bass clarinet too.

Thankyou Woodi Webb and crew for this incredible early seventies album! It's going in my "best of" Jazz related section, it's that good. My kind of music. Nice try with the album cover but no.