BOBBI HUMPHREY — Blacks and Blues (review)

BOBBI HUMPHREY — Blacks and Blues album cover Album · 1974 · Funk Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
FunkFreak75
Recorded at the Sound Factory in Los Angeles on June 7 & 8 of 1973 and then released by Blue Note in January of 1974, flutist Bobbi Humphrey comes with the support of the Donald Byrd Blackbird school of music and publishing--specifically the Mizell brothers.

A1. "Chicago, Damn" (6:44) excellent funk from heavily-treated bass, electric piano (and synthesizer?), Latin percussion, wah-wah-ed rhythm guitar, and flawless drumming. Fred Perren comes in with a trumpet-like synthesizer sound between verses. (9.25/10)

A2. "Harlem River Drive" (7:24) great j-r f song with a Donald-Byrd-typical male choral singing of the song's title. Great work from the rhythm section but especially the rhythm guitar and piano, but Bobbi's piercing flute melody making is the star of this show. (13.5/15)

A3. "Just A Love Child" (8:21) nice funky music with Bobbi singing in a Minnie Ripperton-little girl-like voice. (17.5/20)

B1. "Blacks And Blues" (4:30) another (familiar) funky R&B groove that supports flutey synth and Bobbi's flute while Chuck or Ron move freely, effortlessly around the fretboard. Group vocals join Bobbi's melody in the second verse (or chorus) while Jerry Peters pounds his way all over that piano. (9.125/10)

B2. "Jasper Country Man" (5:16) really more of a conversation among the rhythm section: Harvey, Chuck, and Jerry. (8.75/10)

B3. "Baby's Gone" (8:47) slow and moody with Bobbi setting a melody up that sounds like the opening notes to Deneice Williams' opening lines from "Free," but then it thickens and grow sophisticated while Bobbi's flute and voice work their way into the lead of the song. (17.5/20)

Excellent arrangements of very melodic smooth funk-jazz music; eminently listenable.

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