Don Sebesky - The Rape Of El Morro (1975/2016) Hi-Res

An album with one of the most compelling covers ever featured on the CTI label – a fantastic achievement for ultra-hip arranger Don Sebesky! Don first got his start working on complicated charts for 60s singers and musicians – an early legacy of music that really set him apart, and made Sebesky one of the key forces in taking popular music into much mature territory at the time! By the point of this album, Sebesky's really at the top of his game – an artist with a vision that's complex, but never clunky – able to hang onto the jazz core you'd expect from CTI, while stretching out into these rich modes that really blow away the competition. There's a spooky, soundtrack-like vibe at points – although the album's definitely a jazz set through and through – thanks to horns from the Brecker Brothers and David Sanborn. Joan LaBarbera turns in a bit of nicely eerie vocals – and titles include "Moon Dreams", "Footprints Of The Giant", "Lucky Seven", and "Skyliner".

Tracks:

01. The Rape Of El Morro 7:45
02. Moon Dreams 5:34
03. Skyliner 5:52
04. The Entertainer 4:15
05. Footprints Of The Giant 7:34
06. Lucky Seven 5:29

Personnel:

Don Sebesky - keyboards, arranger, conductor
Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis - trumpet
Wayne Andre, Barry Rogers, Sonny Russo - trombone
Tony Studd - bass trombone
Michael Brecker - tenor saxophone
David Sanborn - alto saxophone
Ray Beckenstetein - flute, alto flute, piccolo
Harvey Estrin, Walt Levinsky, George Marge, Al Regni - flute
Don Grolnick, Roland Hanna, Pat Rebillot - keyboards
Joe Beck - guitar
Ron Carter, Will Lee - bass
Steve Gadd - drums
George Devens, Phil Kraus - percussion
Harry Cykman, Paul Gershman, Harry Glickman, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Charles Libove, Harry Lookofsky, David Nadien, Matthew Raimondi, David Rose - violin
Jean R. Dane, Manny Vardi - viola
Seymour Barab, Charles McCracken - cello
Joan LaBarbara - vocals