New York Mary - A Piece Of The Apple (1976) [Hi-Res]

A Piece Of The Apple is the second and final studio album by the American jazz-rock trio New York Mary, released in 1976 on Arista/Freedom. The core lineup — saxophonist Bruce Johnstone, bassist Rick Petrone, and drummer Joe Corsello, all veterans of Maynard Ferguson's backing band — had been signed directly by Arista president Clive Davis and released both of their albums within the same year, their self-titled debut and this follow-up.

The record was tracked in June 1976 at vibraphonist-producer Don Elliott's own studio in Weston, Connecticut, with Elliott, Michael Cuscuna, and the band members producing; Cuscuna also served as executive producer. For this session the trio was expanded with trumpet/flugelhorn player Ron Friedman, guitarist Gene Bertoncini, keyboardists Robert Aries and Pete Levin, and — on three tracks — the vocal group The Don Elliott Singers.

Instrumentally the album sits in electric jazz-fusion territory with a strong funk and rock undertow: phaser-treated electric bass, clavinet and electric piano, effects-laden guitar, and a horn section trading solos and unison lines across largely instrumental compositions. The cover photography was by Benno Friedman, with art direction by Bob Heimall.

Within the band's short discography, this is the second and last officially released album — a third recording was made but never issued before the group broke up; keyboardist Allan Zavod (who had played on the debut) moved on to a four-year stint with Jean-Luc Ponty's band, and Johnstone later joined Woody Herman's orchestra.

Tracklist:
1. New York Mary - Rush Hour
2. New York Mary - Back To Being One
3. New York Mary - Midnight Magic
4. New York Mary - Zoo Mouth
5. New York Mary - Mr. Mystery
6. New York Mary - Just As Long As We Have Love
7. New York Mary - (Walkin' Down) Greasy St.
8. New York Mary - Aftermath