Harris Simon – The Mastery Of Passion (2010/2017) [HDTracks FLAC 24bit/44,1kHz]

This rare collection of all-star recordings from keyboardist Harris Simon features Michael Brecker at his very best!

As a 21-year-old wunderkind, pianist-composer-arranger Harris Simon went into the studio in March of 1978 to record his first recording under his own name entitled New York Connection featuring an all-star cast including tenor sax titan Michael Brecker, Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi, saxophonist-flutist Joe Farrell, bassist Mike Richmond, guitarist Bill Washer and Brazilian drummer Portinho. Two years later, Simon returned to the studio with essentially the same heavyweight crew to record Swish. Selections from both quintessential late ’70s offerings, are now available in the compilation The Mastery of Passion, represent a moment in time when jazz was crossing over to a wider audience.

Discovering gold in reissues going 30 years back is always a pleasure. Such is the case with Harris Simon’s The Mastery of Passion… – Larry Taylor, All About Jazz

This recording is a reclamation project for keyboardist Harris Simon, issuing music on CD for the first time in the U.S. originally released only in Japan back in the late ’70s and early ’80s. During that last gasp of the fusion era, Simon collaborated with the Juilliard String Ensemble, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, trumpeter Claudio Roditi, and guitarist Bill Washer, among others, while using acoustic piano and electric Fender Rhodes to perform some favorite compositions and originals. The result is a potpourri of contemporary jazz with chamber and Brazilian or funky underpinnings that is a bit dated à la ersatz CTI Records, but still exciting and fun to hear. While the strings are present on several of these tracks, it is the material written by Hugo Fatturoso that stands out. The outstanding rocked-out “Wind Chant” and hard samba “Romance of Death,” originally heard on Airto Moreira’s classic Fingers album, are interpreted here with plenty of prerequisite energy and passion. Brecker and Roditi’s contributions during the neo-bopping “Swish” and “Don the Don” also emphasize that Simon is an excellent composer as well as performer. The leader also plays a little harmonica during “Street Song,” a quaint pop-styled tune. Guests include Joe Farrell on flute and violinist Michal Urbaniak, more indication of the kind of company Harris Simon kept. Issued some 32 years after it was recorded, it’s clear he’s still proud of this music, and it is good that the date has been given a second chance to be appreciated.

Tracklist:
01 – Wind Chant
02 – Swish
03 – Midday Dreams
04 – Factory
05 – Don the Don
06 – Stonehenge
07 – Romance of Death
08 – City Light
09 – All Points South
10 – Loufiana
11 – Street Song

Produced by George Klabin & Jeff Kaufman.
Recorded in 1978-1980 at Sound Ideas Studios, NYC.
Recording and Mixing Engineers: George Klabin & David Baker.

Musicians:
Harris Simon: piano, Rhodes, harmonica
Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone
Claudio Roditi: trumpet & flugelhorn
Bill Washer: guitar
Mike Richmond: upright and electric bass
Brian Brake: drums
Vocal Jazz Inc. (Ann Lang, Janice Pendarvis, Lani Groves)
Juilliard Strings: strings
Joe Farrell: flute (Loufiana)
Michael Urbaniak: violin (Midday Dreams)
Andy Laverne: synthesizer (All Points South, Don the Don)
Scott Hardy: guitar (Swish, Street Song)
Ratzo Harris: bass (Midday Dreams)
Grady Tate: drums (Midday Dreams)
John Riley: drums (Swish, Street Song)
Portinho: drums (Wind Chant, Romance of Death)
Guilherme Franco & Escola de Samba: percussion (Wind Chant)