Les McCann - Pump It Up

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:21
Size: 129,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:51)  1. Pump it Up
(5:16)  2. Buckshot & Lefonque
(4:45)  3. Let it Ride (the Train)
(6:39)  4. I Can't Stand It
(5:51)  5. So What
(4:57)  6. You Just Can't Smile It Away
(6:20)  7. Tryin' to Make It Real
(6:10)  8. The Truth
(5:23)  9. Daylight
(5:07) 10. Funk It (Let the Music Play)
(0:56) 11. I Can't Stand It - Reprise

The venerable jazz pianist and vocalist Les McCann finds himself a master of funk on Pump It Up. With a “tight as a fist” rhythm section of bass, drums, guitar and Hammond B-3 organ, McCann’s band has a groove funkier than the law allows. Crisp drumming with hammering backbeats, plus chunky bass and organ figures underscore McCann’s vocals that at times more closely resemble a rap recitation than singing. Honking saxophone solos and harmonious background vocals that comment on McCann’s vocal lines in the great Rhythm and Blues tradition complete the package. The performances on the recording include guest appearances by jazz diva Dianne Reeves on the Bill Withers ballad “You Just Can’t Smile it Away,” and veteran keyboard player and vocalist Billy Preston on “Tryin’ to Make it Real” as well as the strongly gospel inspired “The Truth.” Blues singer Bonnie Raitt also makes an appearance on “The Truth,” adding her personal style of delivering “the word.” All in all, Les McCann’s Pump It Up is a delightfully grooving piece of work. It offers high-level musicianship and some incredibly tight playing that could serve as a clinic in how to play in a great funky R&B band. This CD is recommended for Les McCann fans and those whose musical interests expand to include the world of funky Rhythm and Blues. ~ Craig H.Hurst https://www.allaboutjazz.com/pump-it-up-les-mccann-review-by-craig-w-hurst.php
 

Personnel: Les McCann, vocals; Ricky Peterson, Hammon B-3 organ; John Robinson, drums; Paul Jackson Jr., rhythm guitar; Abraham Laboriel, bass; Marcus Miller, bass; Maceo Parker, saxophone; Billy Preston, keyboards; Bill Evans, saxophone; Bonnie Raitt, vocals; Dianne Reeves, vocals; Paulinho da Costa, Latin percussion; Keith Anderson, saxophone; Tom Saviano, saxophone; Bill Churchville, trumpet; Tony Maiden, guitar; Maxaynh Lewis, Margaret Fowler Alan Abrahams, and Jim Gilstrap, background vocals.

Pump It Up

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Billy Preston - Ultimate Collection

Styles: Vocal, Soul
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:24
Size: 170,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:28)  1. Will It Go Round In Circles
(4:09)  2. Outa-Space
(2:45)  3. Slaughter
(3:24)  4. I Wrote A Simple Song
(4:10)  5. That's The Way God Planned It [Live]
(2:36)  6. Struttin'
(5:47)  7. Fancy Lady
(3:19)  8. You're So Unique
(3:28)  9. Space Race
(3:10) 10. Get Back
(2:30) 11. Blackbird
(3:16) 12. Wide Stride
(2:37) 13. Nothing From Nothing
(3:48) 14. I'm Really Gonna Miss You
(4:51) 15. You Are So Beautiful
(3:40) 16. With You I'm Born Again
(4:51) 17. Since I Held You Close
(3:50) 18. Go For It
(3:54) 19. One More Time For Love
(3:41) 20. I'm Never Gonna Say Goodbye

Hip-O's Ultimate Collection may not have the original hit recording of "That's the Way God Planned It," due to licensing restrictions (it was recorded for the Beatles ill-fated label, Apple), but that's about the only thing missing from this near-definitive single-disc set. Over the course of 20 tracks, the collection chronicles every one of Preston's hits, from the funky "Outa-Space," "Slaughter," and "Will It Go Round in Circles" to the smooth, quiet storm soul of his duets with Syreeta ("With You I'm Born Again," "Go for It," "One More Time for Love"). Since it's quite a transition between the two extremes, fans of either side of the spectrum may not enjoy everything here, but it's nevertheless a nearly flawless collection, providing an accurate portrait of Preston's career. It is true that the lesser-known hits aren't as compelling as the smash singles, but this is still an entertaining collection, regardless. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine http://www.allmusic.com/album/ultimate-collection-mw0000058458

Personnel: Billy Preston (vocals, keyboards).

Ultimate Collection

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