Wheatfield Soul [Import]

wheatfield soul [import]

Track Listings

1. These Eyes

2. Pink Wine Sparkles in the Glass

3. Found Her in a Star

4. Friends of Mine

5. When You Touch Me

6. Wednesday in Your Garden

7. Light Foot

8. Love and a Yellow Rose

9. Maple Fudge

10. We're Coming to Dinner

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Winnipeg Born and Bred Rock at Its Very Finest. This 1968 Release Contains the Huge Hit 'these Eyes', plus 'when You Touch Me', 'friends of Mine', 'wednesday in Your Garden' and Six More.

Wheatfield Soul,The Guess Who,Bmg Int'l,Album Rock,Boogie Rock,Canada,Folk-Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock

Wheatfield Soul [Import]

Average customer rating:

I Can Finally Retire My 8-Track!!
One Worth Owning
One of the best Temptation's recordings ever.
one of the best Temptation CD's
A mighty,Mighty Album

1990
The Temptations
Manufacturer: Hip-O Select
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Psychedelic Shack/All Directions
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ASIN: B000BQ4MDY
Release Date: 2006-12-01

Tracks:

Let Your Hair Down
I Need You
Heavenly
You've Got My Soul on Fire
Ain't No Justice
1990
Zoom

Product Description

Here is the album where Norman Whitfield said goodbye to the Temptations and hello to a new L.A. groove. To record his final LP with the group in 1973, no longer did Whit use the Funk Brothers to lay down Motown's old-school Detroit funk. Now he was in Hollywood, cutting these band tracks with discovery Rose Royce. 1990 followed the albums All Directions and Masterpiece, two classics of Whitfield's psychedelic soul. This album worked the successful Whitfield formula: short radio hits that snapped with soul and tight rhythms, complemented by spaced-out suites about a screwed-up society that took up almost a whole LP side. 1990 featured "Let Your Hair Down," a No. 1 R&B smash, and two singles that hit the Top 10, the sublime "Heavenly" and "You've Got My Soul On Fire." Yet the album, although No. 2 R&B and Top 20 Pop, has never been issued on CD until now. The beautifully remastered disc is encased in a mini version of the original, double-cardboard sleeve packaging.

Customer Reviews:

I Can Finally Retire My 8-Track!!.......2007-06-12

This is a tremendous album. I have been a long time fan of Edwards and Damon, who I always felt gave Ruffin and Kendricks a run for their money, and this album demonstrates their superior vocal skills. Now, for my money, "All Directions" (feat. 'Papa was a Rolling Stone') and "A Song for You" (feat 'A Song for You', 'Memories') were better overall albums track for track, but that's like saying I prefer Lexus to Mercedes. Where I actually prefer this album to any Temps album is the tenor of the messages in the lyrics, artfully reflected in great vocals with a music score that is intelligent, and not overblown (sometimes I feel that current artists don't understand that, often, less is more). I was pleasantly surprised, and encouraged, by what I see as an effort by some record labels to finally begin to fill some of the disgraceful gaps in album reissues in the R&B genre. "Greatest Hits" compilations can never, NEVER do justice to reflecting the concepts that are instilled in true album releases. Good for you, Guys. Keep it up!!!!

One Worth Owning.......2007-05-31

I grew up listening to The Temptations, and I bought his album when it was initially released. I was never a fan of the radio hits "You've Got My Soul On Fire" and "Let Your Hair Down." They aren't bad songs, but for me they just didn't live up to their previous hits, or some of the hits that followed on the album "A Song For You." But the rest of the tracks on "1990" more than make up for the shortcomings of those two tracks. "Heavenly" is a smooth a love ballad as you'd ever want to hear, and is equaled by "I Need You." "There Ain't No Justice" is an excellent social commentary. "Zoom" and "1990" both could have been hit singles, in my opinion. Overall, "1990" is a disc worth having, and it's about time this one was released on CD.

One of the best Temptation's recordings ever........2007-05-03

This album was slammin' from beginning to end. "Heavenly" was definitely without a doubt the jam on here. This album also had a political message as well. Norman Whitfield was the man far as producing went on this project. I'm glad i was finally able to track it down on cd.

one of the best Temptation CD's.......2007-01-13

Having collected every LP and CD by the Temptations this is very close to their best work. As with all Norman Whitfield tracks the production is excellant. Every track is outstanding, but prefering their faster tracks I feel the best track on the CD is Let Your Hair Down.

A mighty,Mighty Album.......2006-12-14

Iam on a mission to collect as many Temptations cds as possible...the good ones actually.This album 1990 is one of the really good ones..The harmony is astonishing and the remastering is mind blowing all together a masterpiece. Grab this one soon.

Average customer rating:

All the cuts....
MISREPRESENTED
Rolls Royce Ride
r&b fan from texas
RR-the Ultimate-Best Love

Rose Royce - Greatest Hits [Whitfield]
Rose Royce
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002KLH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Pop Your Fingers
It Makes You Feel like Dancin'
First Come, First Serve
Car Wash
Is It Love You're After
Do Your Dance
You're A Winner
Ooh Boy
I Wanna Get Next To You
Wishing On A Star
I'm In Love (And I Love The Feeling)
I'm Going Down
I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Love Don't Live Here Anymore

Customer Reviews:

All the cuts...........2006-03-11

This CD has all of the cuts that you remember from back in the day...you will love it...it is always in my car.

MISREPRESENTED.......2006-03-02

It's amazing that NONE of the reviews mention the fact that THE COVER FOR THIS CD IS ACTUALLY FOR "Rose Royce III - Strikes Again" which came out around 1978. I recognized the cover because I own the album. I also checked the back cover photo which shows the song names (since no song list was available). I thought I had finally found the long lost CD for the album I had.

What I received was Rose Royce Greatest Hits Live. NOT WHAT I WANTED. HAD TO FILE A CLAIM TO GET MY MONEY BACK, and yet the item is still here being offered for sale. AMAZING!

Rolls Royce Ride.......2005-12-09

After glancing at some of the titles you begin to think to yourself, oh that's who sings that song. Rose Royce is probably the most underrated bands and or groups to have swept through the late 1970's and Rose Royce Greatest Hits is proof of such. With a style similar to Earth, Wind & Fire as the first half (first seven songs) have the same pop disco feel with live instruments. Most memorable is "Car Wash" as it gives you the push to get you up. The other half (tracks 8 - 14) is slower and remains classics for soulful R&B love songs to this day. "...I hope you feel the same way to..."

r&b fan from texas.......2003-11-01

really good package on this cd. hanging out at the disco in the late 70's you would here most of this jams and the band is tight period. one star taken away for short version on do your dance.

RR-the Ultimate-Best Love.......2000-07-26

As being part of the soul/funk movement of the 70's, Rose Royce will always be remembered for the Car Wash tunes. Personally, I think they never got the attention as they deserved, they will always have a special place for the real soul/funk lovers. Even these days, many remixes are based upon tunes from RR (wishing on a star/Is it love you're after). Any song by RR will have my 5 star reward. I just wonder where is the song "Best Love" one of my favorites which shows the classic souly sounds and the modern disco beats during those times (terrific drums and timing) which will go on to eternity. I'm still hoping on the release of their Best Love Album, well the tape will do for the time being.

Car Wash: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Average customer rating:

Childhood memories
I wanna get next to you
will take you home
In full bloom !
Good Disc

Car Wash: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Norman Whitfield
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002P36
Release Date: 1996-09-24

Tracks:

Car Wash
Six O'Clock Dj-Lets Rock
I Wanna Get Next To You
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Zig Zag
You're On My Mind
Mid Day Dy Theme
Born To Love You
Daddy Rich
Richard Pryor Dialogue/Rich Reprise
you Gotta Believe
I'm Going Down
Yo Yo
Sunrise
Righteous Rhythm
Water
Crying
Doin' What Comes Naturally
Keep On Keepin' On

Amazon.com

If Car Wash looks and feels like a 97-minute music video, there's good reason for it. Lacking anything resembling a workable script, screenwriter Joel Schumacher (yes, him--funny how things don't change, isn't it?) enlisted Motown veteran Norman Whitfield to compose a batch of songs that would, in effect, "drive" the film. It's clear from the finished film that Schumacher never overcame his writer's block, but Whitfield more than met his end of the bargain, compiling a soundtrack that yielded three top 10 singles, and a musical oeuvre that Rose Royce is still milking to this day. Car Wash succeeds by way of its mass appeal. Whitfield forwent the parochial, if classic, Motown Sound, and incorporated elements of rock, disco, and blaxploitation-esque incidental music, resulting in a meaty--and marketable--party record. Whitfield casts Rose Royce as the new Sly and the Family Stone, and though they don't quite fill those shoes, it's a blast to hear them try. --Matt Hanks

Customer Reviews:

Childhood memories.......2004-12-14

This album gives me wonderful childhood memories. I remember being in my basement alteranting between the Car Wash soundtrack and C.W. McCall's _Black Bear Road_. (Talk about diversity as a 6-10 year old).
The funk and R&B beats are fantastic. The band, Rose Royce, was put together as an allstar band exemplifying this time period in music.
Thr grooves are unstoppable. You gotta love the simple yet complex vocal harmonies in "Zig Zag."
"Car Wash" may be sometimes overplayed on the radio and at sporting events, but it remains a staple of this era.
"Daddy Rich" is good only if you remember the movie and its plot. (I can't say that I do.)
"put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" has an awesome horn riff...as do most of these tracks.
That's what made my saxophone playing in a horn section so much fun (playing songs like "Brickhouse" and "Jungle Boogie").
There are even powerful vocal songs and soulful belt-outs like in "I'm Going Down."
Gotta love the wa-wa guitar and horn parts in the instrumentals.
Enough of my babbling...just get it, listen, enjoy, and get your groove on.

I wanna get next to you.......2002-07-22

love this plus that movie still a fan this brings back good memories every song on here jams and mostly it's instrumentals but hey I'm an old school funk fan and plus original funkadelics eddie hazel, and billy bass nelson held the whole groove down that's why this soundtrack is helluva funkdafied fire a classic every song on here is a classic and far from disco which sadly is a category rose royce fell under in later years.

will take you home.......2001-09-02

did you ever work a hard job for little pay? love someone you just couldn't reach? well this music comes from a film that will take you home. rose royce really hits t on the mark. my review is as much about the film car wash as it is the music. you may have to be over 40 to understand, but if you have ever been there, hated it, but wouoldn't trade the experience for any $$ this is the music and film for you

In full bloom !.......2001-04-26

If you have ever seen the film Car Wash, you will remember the importance of the soundtrack. I personally saw the film again on T.V. not too long ago, and when I found this cd was available, I simply ordered it (I had bought a long time ago the LP version, which only had 10 tracks).

This can be counted as one of the great soundtracks of that era, together with others such as "Superfly", "Shaft" or "Saturday Night Fever". The more recent "Jackie Brown" goes in the same direction actually. But, the originality of this one is that the whole soundtrack was apparently recorded BEFORE the shooting of the film (the songs were really playing while the film was shot, and the actors seem to have the time of their life), and that the band was made up by Norman Whitfield especially for this recording. The songs were so great and the band was so successful that it went on to record more albums and competed on the charts with CHIC. In fact, I can tell you the film was shown everywhere in Europe and that "Car wash" and the ballad "I wanna get next to you" were played all over the world... Not bad for what some would call a low budget film with a made up band playing in the background.

This really is a recommendable cd because of the story behind it, because of the sound (typical of that time), and because you have more than the two star tracks ("Zig Zag" and "Water" are super instrumentals, "Yoyo" is a lot of fun, the Ohio Players like "Born to love you" should have gotten the same recognition as the title track, and the musical scene - "Daddy rich/you gotta believe"- with Richard Pryor and the Pointer Sisters is extraordinary).

Car wash, ladies and gentlemen, a must have from a band and a producer (Norman Whitfield) in full bloom at that time !

Good Disc.......2000-03-31

Norman WHitfield was a Musical Genius Period.together with Rose Royce they Created a Great Party Vibe that Pre-Dated The Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever Run.I wanna Get Next to You is a Great Slow jam. I'm Going Down is still the song.and Of COurse The Title Track that Bumps to this day.even The Pointer Sisters get Funky on You Gotta Believe.

Average customer rating:

His best work yet !!!!!!
Still one of my favourite jazz guitarists.

7th Ave. Stroll
Mark Whitfield
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000470D
Release Date: 1995-10-10

Tracks:

Washington Square Thoroughfare
Harlem Nocturne
7th Ave. Stroll
A Brooklyn Love
Businessman's Bounce
Spring In Manhattan
Sunday In New York
The Bowery Blues
Sunset At Waterside
Headin' To The Wes' Side
Autumn In New York

Customer Reviews:

His best work yet !!!!!!.......2004-08-26

Mark's nickname is QuickPic. This project demonstrates why. Every song is a treat. FRankly I have been waiting for something to rival this CD. From my standpoint, his career and musci took a different direction after this project. it is so good it is a must own for any lover of the Wes Montgomery/George Benson type sound. With no disrespect intended, he takes it to the next level (Now if he could only sing as good or better than Benson, he would have the whole package).

Still one of my favourite jazz guitarists........2002-12-16

Excellent album! Mark Whitfield is an amazing guitarist in the Wes Montgomery / George Benson tradition. His technique is flawless, his tone soft and clear and he's got a knack for spinning lyrical, bluesy lines that you can actually hum along to after a few listens.

I'd be hard pressed to pick any highlights on this album, because I like all of the tunes. Bowery Blues is one of my faves, along with Washington Square Thoroughfare.

His music draws heavily on the blues and although influences from Wes & Benson are apparent, he's still got a sound of his own.

If you like Wes Montgomery's early recordings, or the bluesy stuff by Kenny Burrell, give this album a listen. You won't regret it.

Average customer rating:

can you handle this.....waaaw

A True Blue Masterpiece

THE jazz guitar album of the 90s.

True Blue
Mark Whitfield
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000046W6
Release Date: 1994-10-04

Tracks:

Blues For Davis Alexander
Save Your Love For Me
Immanuel The Redeemer
Quik Pik's Blues
Mr. Syms
\Berkshire Blues
Blues For Baby Boy
Girltalk
Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues-are
Psalm 91
The Mystery Of Love Everlasting
Blues For Alice
John And Mamie

Amazon.com

Mark Whitfield is a throwback. In an era when most jazz guitarists favor a brash, metallic tone, Whitfield is the soul of mellowness. Playing a hollow-body Gibson, the 26-year-old gets a soothing, almost acoustic tone from his electric instrument. His new album, "True Blue," is devoted to "a true mix of jazz and blues," as the liner notes put it, but even in the earthy genre of the blues, Whitfield sounds tastefully laid-back.

Joining Whitfield on his first recording for Verve are three members of the Branford Marsalis Quartet (and the Tonight Show Band)--pianist Kenny Kirkland, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts and saxophonist Marsalis--as well as bassist Rodney Whitaker and trumpeter Nicholas Payton. In terms of technique, Whitfield has no problem holding his own in this company, for his timing is impeccable and his solos are inventive and well shaped. In terms of projecting his own personality, however, this self-effacing bandleader is all too easily overshadowed by his guests.

For example, on "Immanuel the Redeemer," one of three Whitfield compositions inspired by his religious beliefs, Whitfield's opening solo is skillful but it has none of the swagger and passion of the Marsalis and Kirkland solos which follow. Randy Weston's "Berkshire Blues" is a very romantic approach to the blues, but Whitfield's dazzling 16th-note runs have none of the sensuality of Kirkland's piano solo nor even the dramatic tension of Watts's drum fills. The seven Whitfield originals are supplemented by blues written by John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Parker. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

can you handle this.....waaaw.......2006-08-13

This is an amazing cd. Every jazz fan should have this cd in their collection. I have this cd more than 10 years and i get amazed every time i hear it. Mark and the ohter musicians focus on playing together rather than doing their own thing. If you concentrate you can listen to one instrument at the time. Its like they talk to each other. The sounds are very clear and the players are at their best. I think its the combination of these players together that makes it what it is. If you listen to the other cd's of Mark you will noticed that his technique is better or the same but the result does not come close to True Blue. True the years i have learned that every number one this cd is my favourit.....go Mark...

A True Blue Masterpiece.......2001-09-23

I fully agree with the reviewewer from Germany.. this could well be the best jazz guitar album ever done.. so far. Still.. 7 years after I got it ..I am stunned every time I listen to it.. At the time ,1994, I never heard of Mark Whitfield.(shame on me) I bought this albun without knowing anything about Whitfield...When I did put the CD on the turntable... I could nt beleive what I heard..What a groove,what a soul feeling. This album is loaded with groove and soul in the "true blue" way that Montgomery Green, Burrell and of course Mr Benson.. implemented in the sixties. In my opinion Whitfield has not been able to "match" the level of this albumon any of his later releases.. although most of them have been very good.
BUT,,,it is not only because of Whitfield that this is a masterpiece the sidemen on this recording are far from "second raters" My favourite are the late Kenny kirkland on piano..he sounds like early Hancock but slightly more technical and he swings, his solo on "Blues for Alice" is almost unbearable.
Nic Payton on the trumpet was already here a guy with "monster chops"
If you like jazz with a heavy blues flavour and groove in one package you can hardly find a better album.

THE jazz guitar album of the 90s........1999-10-03

As a longstanding fan of Wes Montgomery's music, I was knocked out when I listened to Mark's stunning, insuperable performance for the first time. Since then, I'v been replaying this album -probably the most varied jazz guitar album ever -a zillion times, always discovering new subtleties. Thanks, Mark, you've done a service to mankind.

Average customer rating:

Groovy jazz guitar
Tasteful tunesmith

The Marksman
Mark Whitfield
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002LMQ
Release Date: 1990-08-31

Tracks:

The Marksman
The Blues, From Way Back
In A Sentimental Mood
Long Way From Home
Medgar Evers' Blues
Little Digi's Strut
The Very Thought Of You
Namu
There Is No Greater Love

Customer Reviews:

Groovy jazz guitar.......2002-04-19

Aleady here in 1990 one can say without any exxageration that Whitfield was a true groove master with no real technical restrictions and with what Wes Montgomery use to say."a very nice definition" in his single note lines.Whitfield is mostly using "down picking" that is what gives this nice definition..you can hear every note clearly even hwn he plays at the "speed of lightning".It refreshing to hear how Whitfield constructs his lines...like when he start of the dom 7th scale on the 6 th..it gives a nice lyrical touch to his playing.
Even though Whitfield at times can be perceived as a "speed demon" he clearly comes out of the Grant Green-George Benson school" where groove and swing was the essential thing, quite different to more modern players of today.
Otherwise I ref to the very insightful review below by Tyler Smith.

Tasteful tunesmith.......2001-03-21

Those first coming to "The Marksman" will note a few words to the listener from none other than George Benson, who speaks warmly of Mark Whitfield by way of introduction. That's appropriate for this fine 1990 release in that Whitfield's warm, tuneful and swinging sound proudly descends from Benson's. Like Benson before him, Whitfield has in recent years, dipped more than a toe into the more commercial pop market, although obviously with less success than his mentor has enjoyed.

That said, "The Marksman" is a thoroughly enjoyable set of performances, a straight-ahead session that simmers along nicely with nary a false note.

Not that the music lacks an edge. For example, the title tune, as well as "Medgar Evars' Blues," and "Little Digi's Strut" all swing tightly, pushed along by three Wynton Marsalis cohorts, Marcus Roberts (piano), Herlin Riley (drums) and Reginald Veal (bass). All three had already cut their teeth with Marsalis and (in Roberts' case) on their own, but they play tightly with Whitfield, and the date sounds like a quartet rather than a stale get-together of session musicians.

There is also an unforced tribute to the blues, "The Blues, From Way Back," on which Whitfield stretches out with a mellow tone that still manages to retain a touch of grit. A follow-up release, "True Blue," reiterated that Whitfield comes to the blues -- and gospel as well -- naturally, not as an affectation. Veal's walking bass on this cut is a delight.

Whitfield registers one more very strong impression for me on "The Marksman." When he takes on the standard "The Very Thought of You," he approaches the melody of the tune -- which is lovely -- with straight, nearly unembellished single notes. He's "singing" the tune. That's great when a jazz musician feels the confidence to let the tune speak for itself and set aside his chops for a couple of minutes. His solo performance on "Namu" and interpretation of "In a Sentimental Mood" show a similar willingness to favor melody and tunefulness over flash.

One often finds Whitfield's releases (including this one,unfortunately) in bargain bins these days, and I'm not sure why. Certainly "The Marksman" and several of his other releases deserve a better fate.

Patrice
Average customer rating:

Randy B

Very good effort focusing on his blues and jazz roots.

Patrice
Mark Whitfield
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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7th Ave. Stroll

ASIN: B000002LQ7
Release Date: 1991-09-17

Tracks:

Go Down Moses
Dear Father
Lady Of The Day
Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
Baby M's Bayou Blues
Patrice
Midnight Sun
David's Theme
Bee's Blues
Brother Jack
Trouble At The South Bend
We'll Be Together Again

Customer Reviews:

Randy B.......2001-06-29

This is one of Mark Whitfield's earlier albums. I became an instant fan of his when I saw him perform live with Jimmy Smith. His rendition of the old torch song "Midnight Sun" in this performance made me rush out to find it on one of his albums. It turns out it was on "Patrice". I subsequently found the recorded version, on acoustic guitar (rather than the electric acoustic used in the live performance) fell far short of the live performance. I'm tempted to write him and tell him to re-record it for a new album. The remainder of the album is fair to good. It's clear his expertise has improved since he recorded "Patrice"

Very good effort focusing on his blues and jazz roots........1998-10-21

This is a very good effort by the sometimes brilliant Mark Whitfield. He has the unfortunate situation of being the supposed heir to George Benson and has already been forced to put out some lame material on the self-titled "Mark Whitfield". This session finds him playing it straight for the most part with an emphasis on the blues. The liner notes make mention that Wynton Marsalis recommended he concentrate more on what he's playing rather than how he's playing it. This was sound advice as the "Marksman", Whitfield's debut, featured too much overplaying. The personnel of Kenny Barron, Alvin Batiste, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, and Manolo Badrena adds credibility to the recording before you even start listening. Fortunately, the personnel lives up to the expectations of the listener. "Go Down Moses" is a good blues tune that finds Whitfield adding more space to his melody and solo. He sounds a lot like Kevin Eubanks on "Lady of the Day". Alvin Batiste's clarinet adds a nice flavor to the group's sound on "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen". "Baby M's Blues" is a down-home blues played with the bottleneck sound. The vocals on "Patrice" are pleasant enough, as is Whitfield, but it seems out of place here. Whitfield puts in a fine solo performance on "Midnight Sun", but he is doesn't sound completely comfortable in this setting. "David's Theme" is the definitive Whitfield song on the album. He truly has his own sound and style and this performance is the best example of why you should pay attention to this musician. "Bee's Blues" is another fun romp led by Batiste's clarinet again. Whitfield plays a great solo on this tune. "Brother Jack" is the mandatory tribute to Wes, which every young guitarist seems to feel is necessary. "Trouble at the South Bend" is the most edgy tune here. The most interesting thing about it is the fusion-style head combined with the jazz feel. DeJohnette's drumming here is supreme and reminded me of how great he is. Oh yes, let us not forget the great support here from Ron Carter as well. The session closes out on another pretty, but slightly uncomfortable solo performance of "We'll Be Together Again". Perhaps I'm biased from listening to Joe Pass for so many years. Mark Whitfield continues the great jazz guitar tradition and if able to stay focused on jazz, will be a musician whom our children will study about.

Average customer rating:

A Little Bit of Something for Every Jazz Taste
Fantastic but not Mark's best
Pop and straight-ahead jazz in one package
Smooth Jazz as it's best
Schizophrenic offering

Mark Whitfield
Mark Whitfield
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Raw

ASIN: B000002MIK
Release Date: 1993-04-13

Tracks:

Strollin'
Freddie Freeloader
That Girl
You Know What I Like
The Joy Of Love And Peace
Sweet, Sweet Love
Maya
More Than You Know
Salvation Of Mrt
Bb's Journey
What's New
Runnin' With The Ooze

Amazon.com

This nimble-fingered guitarist follows in footsteps of mentor Georg Benson on a third album that smoothly moves from jazz ("Freddie Freeloader") to R&B ("Sweet, Sweet Love"). --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

A Little Bit of Something for Every Jazz Taste.......2004-12-25

I came across this CD at a discount music store after hearing one of the tracks blasting through the in-house system. Caught by the crispness and appeal of the cut played, I decided that nothing ventured, nothing gained. Why not buy it? I am a fan of contemporary jazz.

The disc turned out to be much better than my expectations. With an unfamiliar artist, one is often taking a chance that a complete CD may not measure up. However, this one does.

Whitfield and his production staff crafted a disc that covers the wide range that is today's jazz. Of course, the album is eleven years old now, but times have not changed that drastically and it sounds as "tight" today as it did then.

Two cuts represent the "fusion" movement of jazz, R & B, and pop: "Strollin'" and "Sweet, Sweet Love," while "You Know What I Like" would fit in any radio programmer's "quiet storm" format. The guitarist gives Stevie Wonder's "That Girl" gets a fresh facelift. "Maya" is heavy on the pop influence while "The Joy of Leave & Peace" melds jazz with a bossa nova beat. "More Than You Know" allows Whitfield to do the "accoustic thing," doing it solo sans accompaniment.

The remaining cuts are more traditional and should satisfy those that long for the days of smoke-filled, cool nightspots where Miles and Dizzy and Charlie played into the wee hours of the morning.

Whitfield would fit right in with these legends.

Fantastic but not Mark's best.......2004-08-26

I am biased. It is hard for me to look at Whtifield's music and be disappointed. This project is heavy on instrumetnal guitar jams. Another effort in Whitfield distinguishing himself from themany others in this area. If you are debating betweenthis and others by Whitfiled, buy 7th Avenue Stroll.

Pop and straight-ahead jazz in one package.......2000-08-31

On this cd Mark Whitfield exhibits versatility that very few guitarists have. I mean, who would be so compelling in all of Pop,RnB and straight jazz? He swings like Wes Montgomery on the bluesy "Freddie Freeloader", even takes a 'bite' of George Benson's "Breezin'" on "The joy of love & peace". All the Jazz tracks produced by Matt Pierson can stand out on their own CD and I'll be very satisfied. The same with the Pop sounding Chris Walker productions. It's a little frustrating moving from "Freddie Freeloader" to "That girl" and from "The joy.." to "Sweet, Sweet Love". The music just doesn't belong in the same CD. Mark is allowed to shine much better on the jazz tracks and I think that's because of the excellent rhythm section behind him(esp. Roland Guerin on bass). Still this CD will satisfy the musical taste buds of a wide variety of listeners. This is definitely not an average CD.

Smooth Jazz as it's best.......2000-07-30

Well, some Jazz purists will make a destroying comment, as you can see at this page. But follow my advice, never trust a comment of a Jazz purist about Smooth Jazz. Just listen to the samples and decide yourself. You will not regrett it. Mark Whitfield's album Mark Whitfield is a true gem of Smooth Jazz.

HBH

Schizophrenic offering.......2000-03-07

I happen to think Mark is one of the best young guitarists out there, but this is his weakest recorded offering. The problem is not so much in his playing as in the selection of material, which may leave you wondering how many cooks contributed to this particular broth.

The first cut, "Strolling," gets the CD off to an inauspicious beginning. From its opening synthesized strains, we are in "smooth jazz" territory: the music lacks an edge, the drum beat is robotic, and the bland, colorless keyboard provides little drive for Whitfield to play off of.

Things improve with the second cut, a cover of Miles' "Freddy Freeloader." The backing loosens up, allowing Whitfield to construct a freely flowing solo that winds up with some Wes Montgomery-flavored chording. Just as quickly, however, we get a tepid cover of Stevie Wonder's "That Girl." Later, there's an embarrassment entitled "Sweet, Sweet Love," complete with inane lyrics warbled by Chris Walker.

And that's the pattern for the rest of the CD: empty blandishments followed by the kind of smart, tightly played jazz that we expect from Whitfield.

Why the dichotomy? A glance at the producer credits explains it all. The jazz cuts are produced by Matt Pierson, who has served ably in that role for Joshua Redman. The empty pop offerings were produced by Chris Walker. Pierson executive-produced, so I guess he has to take some of the blame for the final offering.

If you are looking for a CD by Whitfield, skip this mixed bag and pick up any or all of the following: "The Marksman"; "True Blue"; or "Seventh Avenue Stroll," all of which are very satisfying, very listenable CDs that don't sacrifice jazz integrity for a lukewarm effort at pleasing everybody.

Raw
Average customer rating:

Mark is a genius

Stay Away

Not the one to miss

Raw
Mark Whitfield
Manufacturer: Transparent Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Patrice

Mark Whitfield

Forever Love

Soul Conversation Featuring Mark Whitfield & JK

True Blue

ASIN: B00004YR6E
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Ducktones
A Beautiful Intuition
Alone Together
A Brooklyn Love
Tell Me A Bedtime Story

Customer Reviews:

Mark is a genius.......2006-02-09

When I saw Mark playing with Dr. Lonnie Smith, I was stunned by the way he kept things going. He was so energic the whole time. He's got wonderful technic, but still he uses his skills with taste, unlike so many others. A few months later I got this cd and I was blown away again. The band is just great and they're playing intresting tunes. In a way Raw reminds me of the Coltrane's Love Supreme... there's lots and lots of energy.

If you want to relax by listening to good music, this is a great choice but don't waste your money on this one if you want a cd which you can listen to in your car.

Stay Away.......2005-05-21

I don't know why Mark Whitfield recorded this CD. He achieved success as a straight-ahead player, and it's been written that he genuinely enjoys playing more commercial, smooth jazz. This is indeed a "raw" session, aiming almost for the avant garde, for which Whitfield shows little interest and no aptitude. Maybe he wanted to prove something. Maybe he lost a bet.

Whitfield is backed by Robert Glasper (piano), Brandon Owens (bass), and Donald Edwards (drums). Each of the five tracks is an extended jam, the shortest lasting 10:27. There's a lot of music here, some of it very fast and some of it very loud. It's aggressive music. It just doesn't say anything.

I like late Coltrane as much as anyone. In fact, I'll go one better: I like Charles Gayle and David S. Ware. I've got most of their records, and I think their solo work is profound. So when I say that "Raw" is basically noise, it's not because Whitfield stretched outside the blues. There's simply no substance to anything happening on this record. It's a lot of talk with absolutely nothing to say.

Whitfield's career has had some bright moments. "True Blue" is as good as any of the Young Lions records. The playing is top-notch, and Whitfield's original tunes are solid. He was an asset to Jimmy Smith's two Verve all-star CDs. And if he's truly gone down the smooth jazz path, I wish him well. But this CD was an unfortunate and ill-advised diversion. Don't waste your time.

Not the one to miss.......2000-11-08

For some reasons unknown, everytime I listen to this latest Mark Whitfield's live sets I always feel like I am listening to Grey Osby's "Banned In New York". Raw is quite different from what Mark Whitfield did in the past. As the title suggests, the music in there often gives you a sense of "raw" feeling which is missing in other Mark Whitfield's albums. He did well in what he accomplished thus far, and the direction he approaches in there definitely makes this live dates worth listening over and over again.

Soul Conversation Featuring Mark Whitfield & JK

Average customer rating:

great music, but horrible audio-engineering!
Jazz purists BEWARE..this isn't smooth jazz either
please god, dont make me like this...its smooth jazz!
Soulsantional!

Soul Conversation Featuring Mark Whitfield & JK
Soul Conversation Featuring Mark Whitfield & JK
Manufacturer: Transparent Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00004TFE6
Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

Whatever It Takes
Talk To Me
Reflections Of You
Miami Sunset
Visions
Hand To Mouth
Secrets
In The Backseat
69th Street
On The Edge
Unzipped

Amazon.com

At first listen, it wouldn't appear that guitarists Mark Whitfield and JK would have much to talk about musically. Whitfield absorbed the influence of jazzers like Wes Montgomery, then went on to work with the likes of Betty Carter and Carmen McRae. JK has been a top R&B producer and session guitarist. It turns out that the two share a love for classic soul music. That makes Soul Conversation as bright and lively a duet idea as George Benson and Earl Klugh's 1987 CD, Collaboration. The real joys of this project come when the two go point-counterpoint, statement and echo, as on "Talk to Me." The two spend the moody, wah-wah enhanced tune negotiating the subtle edges of a thick groove through improvisational trade-offs. At the end of each passage, they join and wind down the melody like two leaves falling directly on top of each other. Two's company most of the time here, but that tune and the shuffle-jam "Vision" feature a third who's worthy of opinion in the form of Herbie Hancock and his Fender Rhodes. --Jonathan Widran

Customer Reviews:

great music, but horrible audio-engineering!.......2005-03-06

this is a great funky "smooth"-jazz album, unfortunately it is not listenable to good ears.
the audio-engineer must have been deaf! i've never heard anyhting like that, only with some single tracks (e.g. on george michael's patience) but in this case the whole album is polluted by some high-frequency noise around 16KHz that makes listening to the music a real torture, he must have used some exciter or other high-frequency enhancer that added this horrible noise.
i get headache from it.

Jazz purists BEWARE..this isn't smooth jazz either.......2004-10-14

I must confess I love Mark Whitfield's music. I have everything. Some is better than others. I had never heard of JK. Frankly I dont know (or much care) who JK has produced. I do care about this project. Flat out, every track is solid. I don't beleive it had much commercial success but then most gems remain undiscovered. There are several special artists but the whole point of this project was to bring different people of different backgrounds together for their common love of solid grooves. It Worked and check out the DVD of the same title. I own it too!!!!

please god, dont make me like this...its smooth jazz!.......2001-08-11

...i really dislike "smooth" jazz. most of it is not really as smooth or as jazzy as it is just plain old boring. this is the one category of music i get burned on the most whenever i purchase any...especially the ones that claim to be "the greatest combination of hip-hop and jazz". there's no hip-hop at all on this cd, but the tracks here are all a shade shy from being funky and laid-back enough without being drowsy. whether you "sittin back in the cut", "jus' chillin'" or "jus' gon' marinade"-this is good pre- and post-date music to conversate over...or WHATEVER it is you do.

Soulsantional!.......2000-06-15

Great Album, a definite keeper for the smooth jazz list. I've only heard the "Whatever It Takes" song on the radio recently and was hooked, so I checked them out to see if they were as good as they sounded. It's true, they are even better than they sounded! A MUST HAVE for the smooth jazz fan!

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