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The Major Scale – Delvon LaMarr Organ Trio & Brother Jack McDuff

March 27, 2019 By Chris

The Hammond B-3 organ gets some big love in this episode. First up is the Delvon LaMarr Organ Trio and their debut album Close But No Cigar, a Billboard #1 in the jazz charts. The band takes the well honed sound and constructs an incredibly funky outing that comes off like a live mixtape. It harkens the spirit and quotes from the titans of B-3 like Booker T. and the MG’s, the Incredible Jimmy Smith, and Brother Jack McDuff.

Speaking of which, The Major Scale has been waxing on for a long time about the need to spread the word on Brother Jack McDuff’s overlooked spaced-out jams of the late ’60s and early ’70s. We take a look at a trio of albums he cut for Blue Note during this period: Moon Rappin’, To Seek A New Home, and Who Knows What Tomorrow’s Gonna Bring? Unlike his other work, these albums don’t turn up often on playlists, but when they do they dazzle and delight with their surreal soul and hard driving funk. Crate-diggers and producers have looked to these records since the dawn of hip-hop; just ask, J Dilla, Nas (who’s father plays on one of the albums) A Tribe Called Quest, or Black Moon.

The Major Scale – Tom Scott Tribue

November 14, 2018 By Chris

The Major Scale gives a wink and a nod to Tom Scott and some of his early work. Before Scott was topping the charts with music for Tom Cat, L.A. Express with Joni Mitchell, along with scoring for film and TV- Starsky And Hutch, Let’s Do It Again, and Family Ties, he was a teenage prodigy who was signed to Impulse Records – the home of his hero John Coltrane among other legends. Although these first albums weren’t as popular as his later releases, over the past couple of decades they’ve become fertile ground for sampling – Massive Attack, Pete Rock and CL Smooth, Hieroglyphics and countless others have rearranged his work to great heights. We talk with the man himself about this phenomenon – easily one of our most entertaining conversations yet!.

The Major Scale – Della Reese Tribute & Al Kooper

November 7, 2018 By Chris

The Major Scale is testifying the word of the gospel this episode. First, we pay tribute to the dearly departed Della Reese. She began he career as a singer of immense force and beauty, commanding a range that spanned from Puccini, the deep roots of the blues, Tin Pan Ally, and Gospel. Ms. Reese could deliver it all with spine tingling and soul stirring results. Lynda Blensky, Reese’s rep, said it best: “We lost a magnificent woman who was a trailblazer in many ways.”

The term legend gets used a bit much, but it applies tenfold to an artist like Al Kooper. His work with Bob Dylan, the Zombies, and Lynyrd Skynyrd alone is enough to put him in the history books. He also founded Blood, Sweat, and Tears, which made him a Jazz Rock innovator. Mr. Kooper joins us to talk about a couple of his favorite subjects – gospel music and jazz piano. He also takes over the turntables to plug in a great set from Bobby Timmons, Les McCann, Horace Silver, and Twinkie Clark of the Clark Sisters.

The Major Scale – Cecil Taylor & Sam Friend

October 24, 2018 By Chris

The Major Scale pays homage to the one of the most innovative artists America has ever produced, Cecil Taylor. As a bedrock of the avant-garde, Taylor’s output never looked back, progressing ever forward with originality and tenacity. Educator Matt Gorney joins us to discuss this idiosyncratic composer and share memories of the time his group, Civic Minded 5, booked Mr. Taylor for an unforgettable concert that is still talked about today.

According to Vanity Fair a new wave of jazz is in full bloom across the globe and Sam Friend is a key part of it. Somewhere between New York and New Orleans, Friend gathered a style that puts him at a crossroads of Randy Newman, Ben Sidran, and Mose Allison. Vocal, quirky, reflective, his unique sound is best heard to be appreciated..

SONG CREDITS FOR THIS EPISODE:

THEME: Jazz Phantom by Chomsk’ (from the album “Different Beats” on Magentic Records).

FIRST HALF: Excursion On A Wobbly Rail (from the album “Looking Ahead” on Contemporary Records)

Live Improvisation 2000 Rollins College/Rogers Building by Cecil Taylor (from the Civic Minded 5 concert)

3 Phasis by Cecil Taylor (from the album “3 Phasis” on New World Records)

Mixed by Gil Evans w/ Cecil Taylor (from the album “Into the Hot” on Impulse Records)

SECOND HALF: Show Your Face, Would You Save My Life, Settle Down, Rhythm Or Rhyme, and Here We Go Again b y Sam Friend (from the album “Twins” on Sam Friend Music)