Hank Crawford’s “Mr. Blues Plays Lady Soul” on Atlantic from 1969. The groove is unreal, thanks to the great Bernard Purdie on drums, and the big band sound is killer thanks to the great arrangements of Arif Mardin. This is doubly fascinating because Hank was also a brilliant arranger who almost always wrote his own charts. Finally, the guitar chair is manned by the late, great Eric Gale, so business is handled 110% all the way ‘ round.”

Hank Crawford – Mr. Blues Plays Lady Soul (Atlantic Records)
Hank Crawford (as); David Newman (ts, fl); Paul Griffin (p, el-p); Eric Gale (g); Ron Carter (el-b); Bernard Purdie (d); Arif Mardin (arr, dir); Gene Orloff (strings cond); Bernie Glow, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Snooky Young (tp); Jimmy Cleveland, Benny Powell (tb); Frank Wess (as); Seldon Powell (ts); Pepper Adams (bars); unidentified strings.

Chaudement recommandé: Lady Soul