Cal Tjader is deeply embroiled in the pop-jazz movement. This record is thus not of the slightest concern to readers of Jazz Journal. The music is quite harmless, in a Latin-soul groove, and makes a pleasant background to almost anything. A&R man Creed Taylor has a lot to answer for with his recording policy with Verve. Cal Tjader, Kai Winding and Stan Getz have all been reduced to recording this sort of musical rubbish under his direction. How many good jazz albums has he produced for them? It is clear that big sales, no matter who is sacrificed, are his only consideration.
Discography
The Whippenpoof Song; Soul Bird; How High The Moon; That’s All; Soul Motion; Reza (18½ min) – The Prophet; Sonny Boy; Doxy; Samba De Orfeu; Shiny Stockings; Daddy Wong Legs (20½ min)
Cal Tjader (vb); Paul Griffin (p); Richard Davis (bs); Sol Gubin, Grady Tate (d); Armando Peraza (perc). On Reza Terry Hilliard (bs); Lonnie Hewitt (p) and John Rae (d) replace Davis. Hewitt, Gubin and Tate. NYC, 1-2/6/65. Englewood Cliffs NJ, 21-22/7/65.
(Verve VLP 9136 32s. 6d.)
