Ron Carter - Spanish Blue (1974/2009) mp3

Spanish Blue is an album by bassist Ron Carter recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's Studio in New Jersey in 1974 and released on the CTI label. The Allmusic review calling it an "Interesting concept with good solos".

70′s fusion-esque album by Ron Carter. It’s has a definite Jazz focus, but it also has a latin sound to it. Although this is Ron Carter’s album, it has a lot of excellent flute by the great Hubert Laws, which pretty much steers the album. This album is just a blip for Ron Carter, who has said to appear on over 2,500 albums, which is one of the most astonishing facts in all of music. This goes to show that Bassists are always in need, always have work, and are the backbone of music.

Ron Carter's offering here is a solid program that has two Spanish-flavored numbers and two traditional jazz compositions that feature five top-caliber musicians at their best. "El Noche Sol" is influenced by Anadalucian folk music, as is the slower, soulful "Sabado Sombrero". Hubert Laws on flute is prominent on all four tracks and a highlight on the CD is the nifty solo work by drummer Billy Cobham on "So What". The final track, "Arkansas", so named for a child's homework project, closes out the album. The CD would have benefitted from the inclusion of a few more numbers but the music is enjoyable and illustrates the group's versatility in interpreting music forms different from what they were accustomed to playing.


Tracks:

1. El Noche Sol
2. So What?
3. Sabado Sombrero
4. Arkansas

Musicians:

Ron Carter - bass
Hubert Laws - flute
Roland Hanna - electric piano, piano on "1-3"
Leon Pendarvis - electric piano on "4"
Jay Berliner - guitar on "3"
Billy Cobham - drums, field drum
Ralph MacDonald - percussion