Gene Harris - Tone Tantrum (1977) [2013 BNLA Series 24-bit Remaster]

Gene Harris never veered closer to mainstream jazz-funk than Tone Tantrum – a slick, propulsive record recalling Donald Byrd's classic sessions with the Mizell brothers (not surprising, given that Byrd turns up on a few tracks here). It's very much a product of its time, channeling influences from underground disco to Stevie Wonder, and remains arguably the most blatantly commercial release in the entire Blue Note catalog.

Paired with singer/keyboardist Jerry Peters, bassist Chuck Rainey, and drummer Harvey Mason, Harris' smooth, slinky Fender Rhodes grooves are couched in lush strings and shimmering backing vocals. Still, while the sound is radio-friendly, the quality and complexity of the performances serve as a potent reminder that Tone Tantrum is first and foremost a jazz record, and a solid (if unconventional) one at that, purists be damned.


Tracks:

01. As (Wonder) - 7:38
02. If You Can't Find Love Let Love Find You (Peters) - 6:14
03. A Minor (Peters) - 7:24
04. Stranger in Paradise (Wright-Forrest) - 5:15
05. Peace of Mind (McKay) - 4:33
06. Cristo Redentor - Part I (Pearson) - 4:55
07. Cristo Redentor - Part II (Pearson) - 4:48

Personnel:

Gene Harris - piano, electric piano, synthesizer
Jerry Peters - electric piano, synthesizer, vocals
Al McKay, John Rowin - electric guitar
Anthony Jackson, Robert Popwell, Chuck Rainey, Verdine White - electric bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Harvey Mason, Alvin Taylor - drums
Jerry Steinholz - percussion
Ralph Beecham - vocals
Kenneth Yerke, Blanche Belnick, Harry Bluestone, Bonnie Douglas, Assa Drori, Ron Folsom, Winterton Garvey, William Henderson, Janice Gower, Mary Ann Kinggold, Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Paul Pavlonick, Dennis Karmazyn, Selene Hurford, Richard Feves - strings
Dorothy Ashby - harp
Donald Byrd, Ray Jackson, George Thatcher, Maurice Spears, Donald Cook, Earl Dumler, David Crawford - horns
Venetta Fields, D.J. Rogers, Maxine Waters, Julia Waters, Oren Waters, Deneice Williams, Annesther Davis, Gary Gairet - backing vocals