David Axelrod - The Edge: David Axelrod At Capitol Records 1966-1970 (2005)

Though he worked for a series of labels over the course of his storied career, David Axelrod is best known as one of Capitol Records' foremost producers during the company's glory years in the 1960s. Under his production, actor David McCallum released four albums; soulster Lou Rawls released a countless number of LPs (including his first gold album, Lou Rawls Live); Cannonball Adderly released Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (1966), one of the highest selling jazz albums of all time; and countless artists from Letta Mbulu to Common People released albums that spanned the gamut from funky African folk to psychedelic rock. Axelrod himself released three albums as a solo artist on Capitol - Songs of Innocence (1968), Songs of Experience (1969), and Earth Rot (1970) - the first of which even legendary producer Quincy Jones admitted was the immediate precursor to jazz-fusion.

David Axelrod was instrumental in creating the Black Music division at Capitol Records in the mid-'60s, and had a string of hit albums with artists such as soul singer Lou Rawls and jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley. Today he is best known in the hip-hop world for three albums he released on Capitol under his own name between 1968-1970. Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, Earth Rot, and other ancillary Axelrod productions are among the most sampled records in hip-hop history, having been mined by producers as varied as Madlib, DJ Shadow, and Dr. Dre, Mos Def, and many others.

Original LPs that Axelrod produced are coveted among DJs and crate-diggers. This definitive retrospective is the first release to put his career in its proper context and present it with the sonic quality it merits.

Produced by Eothen "Egon" Alapatt

Relegated to obscurity until leading hip-hop producers started mining his records for beats, producer and composer David Axelrod is a true American genius. There is no shortage of "Axe" compilations on the scene, but this one benefits from fluid programming, great artwork, and for the first time, mastered from the original session reels. One of Capitol Records leading producers in the studio, the majority of this Axelrod compilation is culled from his 3 solo albums for the label; Song of Innocence, Songs of Experience, and Earth Rot. Also present are some break beat covers by Lou Rawls, and an extended piece the Axe contributed to a Cannonball Adderley LP. Filled with spacey vibes, eerie flutes, and super-funky rhythm, this is the go-to compilation for Axelrod fans. If you have other compilations youll still want this, and if you dont, get with it! -Kristian St. Clair

Tracklist:
01. David McCallum - House Of Mirrors (Remastered) (2:22)
02. David McCallum - The Edge (Digital Remaster/2005) (2:54)
03. Letta Mbulu - Pula Yetla (3:37)
04. Lou Rawls - Lifetime Monologue (Remastered) (1:52)
05. Lou Rawls - You've Made Me So Very Happy (Remastered) (4:25)
06. David Axelrod - The Smile (3:25)
07. David Axelrod - Songs Of Innocence (4:31)
08. David Axelrod - The Mental Traveler (4:02)
09. David Axelrod - A Divine Image (Remastered) (4:37)
10. David Axelrod - London (2:47)
11. David Axelrod - The Fly (4:48)
12. David Axelrod - The Human Abstract (2005 Remaster) (5:27)
13. David Axelrod - Warning Talk, Part One (Remastered) (2:48)
14. David Axelrod - Warning Talk, Part Three (4:39)
15. David Axelrod - The Signs, Part One (3:44)
16. Don Randi - Theme From The Fox (3:54)
17. Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Tensity (12:35)