Various Artists - Backbeats: Jazzy Vibes (2010)

Disc number 20 in the Backbeats series of compilations. Despite the disc's subtitle - Soulful Jazz Licks From The 70s - there isn't much jazz here and the tracks aren't all from the '70s, but when the music's good, who cares? Several unfamiliar names are on this track list, which probably means I'll be down a few rabbit holes checking out back catalogs soon (which I suppose is the intent of a sampler such as this).

So if it's not jazz, what is it? Well, I'd allow the vague term "jazz crossover" but it's really a mixed bag of disco, fusion, funk, but mainly instrumental Philly soul music. Reminds me a lot of Blue Note's Blue Series (particularly the Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast discs), which can't be a bad thing. Not coincidentally, some of the Blue Series discs and this Backbeats disc were both compiled by Dean Rudland. No personnel credits in the liner notes, so I'm forced to hunt those down on my own.

The compilation starts off enjoyable enough, but things really get cooking with a sublime cover of Killing Me Softly at track 7, followed by a smokin' Lionel Hampton cover of Them Changes. Then you get to 4 consecutive tracks originally on the appropriately named Groove Merchant label and things coast on the good groove for a while. One of those discs that rewards repeated listenings.

Tracks (16 tracks, 76 minutes):

1. Sneaky Return by Michael Pedicin, Jr.
   Taken from the album Michael Pedicin Jr. (1979, Phil. Intl.).
2. In Good Faith by Norman Harris.
   Taken from the album The Harris Machine (1980, Phil. Intl.).
3. Latin Spirit by Leon Huff.
   Taken from the album Here To Create Music (1980, Phil. Intl.).
4. Trade Winds by Lou Rawls.
   Taken from the album When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All (1977, Phil. Intl.).
5. Latin Love (Let Me Know) by Dexter Wansel.
   Taken from the album Voyager (1978, Phil. Intl.).
6. Metamorphosis by MFSB.
   Taken from the album Mysteries Of The World (1980, Phil. Intl.).
7. Killing Me Softly by Hysear Don Walker.
   Taken from the album Complete Expressions (Vol. 2) (1973, Brunswick).
8. Them Changes by Lionel Hampton.
   Taken the from the album Them Changes (1972, Brunswick).
9. Out On The Coast by Larry Willis.
   Taken from the album Inner Crisis (1973, Groove Merchant).
10. Cisco Kid by Reuben Wilson.
    Taken from the album Cisco Kid (1973, Groove Merchant).
11. Red Beans by Jimmy McGriff.
    Taken from the album Red Beans (1976, Groove Merchant).
12. Like A Thief In The Night by Michael Longo.
    Taken from the album 900 Shares Of The Blues (1974, Groove Merchant).
13. What The World Is Coming To by Dexter Wansel.
    Taken from the album What The World Is Coming To (1977, Phil. Intl.)
14. Is It Something I Said by MFSB.
    Taken from the album MFSB, The Gamble-Huff Orchestra (1978, Phil. Intl.)
15. Killin' Time by Natural Essence.
    Taken from the album In Search Of Happiness (1973, Fantasy)
16. Give Me Your Love by Funk, Inc.
    Taken from the album Hangin' Out (1973, Prestige)

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Volume 31: Dance Floor Revolution (2013)
Volume 3: Philly Disco (2009)