Review by Alex Henderson
When Lonnie Liston Smith was recording for Columbia in the late '70s and early '80s, he generally did a good job of balancing commercial and artistic considerations. Jazz's hard-liners denounced the pianist/keyboardist as a sellout, but even though his music had grown slicker and more commercial, it still had substance and integrity. 1979's Song for the Children is typical of Smith's albums from that period in that it is dominated by instrumental fusion and crossover but also contains a few outright R&B items. Lyrical, melodic instrumentals like "Nightlife," "Midsummer Magic," and "Aquarian Cycle" fared well among quiet storm audiences, while "A Song for the Children" and "Fruit Music" are sleek soul-funk numbers that feature singer James "Crabbe" Robinson. Cosmic Echoes vocalist Donald Smith wasn't available this time; so Lonnie Liston Smith went with Robinson, who is more of a belter. And while Donald Smith's charismatic singing is missed, Robinson proves to be a suitable replacement. Song for the Children isn't among Lonnie Liston Smith's essential albums, but it's decent and pleasing more often than not.
///////
Reseña de Alex Henderson
Cuando Lonnie Liston Smith grababa para Columbia a finales de los 70 y principios de los 80, solía equilibrar bien las consideraciones comerciales y artísticas. Los partidarios de la línea dura del jazz denunciaron al pianista y teclista como un vendido, pero aunque su música se había vuelto más sofisticada y comercial, seguía teniendo sustancia e integridad. Song for the Children, de 1979, es típico de los álbumes de Smith de ese periodo en el sentido de que está dominado por la fusión instrumental y el crossover, pero también contiene algunos temas de R&B puro y duro. Canciones instrumentales melódicas y líricas como «Nightlife», «Midsummer Magic» y «Aquarian Cycle» tuvieron éxito entre el público de la tormenta tranquila, mientras que «A Song for the Children» y «Fruit Music» son elegantes temas de soul-funk en los que participa el cantante James «Crabbe» Robinson. Donald Smith, vocalista de Cosmic Echoes, no estaba disponible en esta ocasión, por lo que Lonnie Liston Smith optó por Robinson, que es más belcantista. Y aunque se echa de menos el carismático canto de Donald Smith, Robinson demuestra ser un sustituto adecuado. Song for the Children no está entre los álbumes esenciales de Lonnie Liston Smith, pero es decente y agradable la mayoría de las veces.
1 - A Song For The Children - 7:05
2 - A Lover's Dream - 4:44
3 - Aquarian Cycle - 4:27
4 - Street Festival - 4:44
5 - Midsummer Magic - 6:09
6 - Nightlife - 4:49
7 - A Gift Of Love - 4:44
8 - Fruit Music - 6:01
Credits:
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Lonnie Liston Smith
Arranged By [String & Background Vocal] – Bert DeCoteaux
Backing Vocals – Janet Wright, Ulanda McCullough*, Yvonne Lewis
Bass – Marcus Miller, Peter Brown (5) (tracks: B2)
Congas, Percussion – Steve Thornton
Design Concept, Design – Gene Greif
Drums – Lino Reyes
Engineer – Dave Wittman
Engineer [Assistant] – John Palermo
Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – David Hubbard*
Guitar – Butch Campbell (tracks: A3, B4), Kevin J. Perry* (tracks: B2), Ronnie Miller* (tracks: A1, A4, B1, B3)
Keyboards, Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith
Lead Vocals – James Robinson
Mixed By – Mike Barbiero* (tracks: A1, B4)
Photography By [Cover] – Robert Lewis (10)
Photography By [Sleeve] – Ronald G. Harris
Producer – Bert DeCoteaux, Lonnie Liston Smith
Twelve-String Guitar – Aurell Ray (tracks: A3, B4)
Label: Columbia – JC 36141
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Soul, Funk
https://www.discogs.com/release/2110997-Lonnie-Liston-Smith-A-Song-For-The-Children
This file is intended only for preview!
I ask you to delete the file from your hard drive or device after reading it.
thank for the original uploader
¡Infinitas gracias, Egroj! :)
ReplyDelete🤗