Crystal Winds - First Flight (1982) [Hi-Res]

This legendary sophisticated soul LP first released on the privately pressed Cash Ear label in 1982. It was picked up at the time by some on the UK’s jazz-funk scene and became a prized collector’s item from day one, always hard to get to hold of and never failing to satisfy those that were lucky enough to get hold of it as one of those rare start-to-finish albums.

The key figures behind Crystal Winds were Paul Coleman and M.C. (Morris) Brown, both alumni of the band Rasputin’s Stash which had had two albums out in the mid-‘70s which had done reasonably well for Atlantic subsidiary Cotillion and Chicago indie Gemigo, respectively.

Between them, keyboardist Coleman and saxophonist Brown wrote the vast bulk of the album (guitarist Martin Dumas co-wrote Lover’s Holiday with Brown, and one J.Lagrone is added to the credits of So Sad and Signs of Winter’s Time) and handled the male lead vocals, with the distaff element provided by Theresa Davis. Brown wrote the horn arrangements, the pair did the string arrangements, and legendary concertmaster Rich Tufo (associated with Curtis Mayfield and other Curtom acts including Linda Clifford) was also on hand for the album (credited with conducting and orchestrating both strings and horns). Guitarist Dumas had also been a member of Rasputin’s Stash, as had drummer E.Frank Donaldson (who plays on two tracks).

A solid LP of Sophisticated soul for heads, mid-tempo dancefloors and a solid home listen, you know what to do.
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Tracklist:
01. Crystal Winds - So Sad (06:55)
02. Crystal Winds - Love Ain't Easy, Pt. 1 (04:00)
03. Crystal Winds - Love Ain't Easy, Pt. 2 (02:30)
04. Crystal Winds - Signs of Winter's Time (04:50)
05. Crystal Winds - It's a Wondrous Thing (04:08)
06. Crystal Winds - Maybe What You Do Comes Back on You (03:49)
07. Crystal Winds - Lovers Holiday (04:31)
08. Crystal Winds - Signs of Winter's Time (Instrumental) (04:38)
09. Crystal Winds - Funk Ain't Easy (01:06)