Jazz
Whenever I listen to a Norman Connors album (particularly his earlier creations) the music is so powerful that it takes you beyond your surroundings, and you feel as if you are in a concert hall or an intimate jazz club watching a live performance. When it comes to arranging and producing comtemporary jazz music, musicians, and artists, Mr. Connors is indeed masterful.
On this album he worked with some of the best and brightest musicians of the day___Lee Ritenour, David T. Walker (T-bone), Wah Wah Watson, Pharoah Sanders, Jean Carn, and other wonderful vocal performers. The opening number, "Stella" is a beautiful,funky, jazzy blend of vocals, percussion, and a standout performance by Lee Ritenour on guitar. I fell in love the instant I heard it, and remember thinking that I has not heard anything like it before. The vocals are the canvas on which the instrumental/musical picture is painted. The song "Burrerfly" is a beautiful, smooth, jazzy, blend of vocals and instruments, with the piano and other instruments serving as the canvas on which the vocals picture is painted. That structural nuance is the only thing the songs have in common, as they are very different from each other, each wonderful in their own way.
My very favorite songs on the album are those that feature the very talented Ms. Eleanor Mills on vocals___"This is Your Life" and a remake of "You Make Me Feel Brand New". I am at a loss for words as to how to describe them, as her vocals on these songs just give you chills and make you feel so emotionally connected to the music. She solos on "Wouldn't You Like to See', but these two are the most outstanding. The featured sax performance by Pharoah Sanders on "The Creator Has a Master Plan" is another musical gem.
On many of his albums Mr. Connors manages to include a musical or vocal number featuring himself ("Captain Connors" on this album). When you hear it, your first thought is that Mr. Connors' talents clearly lie with producing, and arranging other artists and musicians. The album as a whole is so wonderful however that you forgive him.
If you like real music created by real musicians, and like your jazz created on a comtemporary palette with a splash of R&B, and an occasional twist of funk, you will absolutely love this album.
By Deinara.
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This album by drummer Norman Connors was released in 1977 on Arista Records, next to lead vocalist Eleanor Mills we get the Starship Orchestra featuring Ralph Buzzy Jones, Shunzo Ono, Billy McCoy, Richard Cummings, Petro Bass and singer James Robinson, plus guest artists Jean Carn, Pharoah Sanders, Gary Bartz, Bobby Lyle, Jacques Burvick, Richard Tee, Ronnie Coleman, Mike Boddicker, Lee Ritenour, David T. Walker, Wah Wah Watson, Jay Graydon, Charles Fearing, Eddie Watkins, Ben Atkins, Kenneth Nash, Elmira Collins, Eddie Bongo Brown and James Gadson, plus horns and strings. Heavy stuff!
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Norman Connors- Drums, Percussion, Timpani, Lead Vocals
Eddie Watkins- Bass
Harry Bluestone- Concertmaster [Strings]
Kenneth Nash- Congas, Bongos, Cymbal [Paiste Cymbals], Gong [Paiste Gongs], Percussion
James Gadson- Drums
James Atkinson, Sidney Muldrow- French Horn
Charles Fearing , David T. Walker, Jay Graydon, Lee Ritenour, Wah Wah Watson- Guitar
Billy McCoy , Bobby Lyle, Jacques Burvick, Richard Cummings, Richard Tee, Ronnie Coleman- Keyboards
Miss Eleanore Mills- Lead Vocals [Featured Lead Vocalist]
Petro Bass- Percussion
Gary Bartz- Saxophone [Alto, Soprano] (Tracks: A1 to B3)
Ralph Buzzy Jones- Saxophone [Soprano]
Pharoah Sanders- Saxophone [Tenor]
Mike Boddicker- Synthesizer [Oberheim]
Benny Powell, Garnett Brown, George Bohanon, George Thacher, Lew McCreary- Trombone
Charles Moore, Nolan Smith,Jr., Oscar Brashear, Ray Brown (2), Shunzo Ono- Trumpet
Elmira Collins- Vibraphone [Vibes], Marimba, Bells [Orchestra]
Jean Carn- Vocals [Vocal Coloring And Background]
David Ii, Earle Dumler,Ernie Watts ,Fred Jackson, Jr., Terry Harrington, Bill Green- Woodwind
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A1. Stella 3:17
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals - James Robinson
Soloist [Guitar] - Lee Ritenour
A2. This Is Your Life 4:13
Arranged By, Conductor - Paul Riser
A3. Wouldn't You Like To See 3:40
Bass - Ben Atkins
A4. Listen 3:51
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals - James Robinson
A5. Say You Love Me 4:36
Bongos - Eddie (Bongo) Brown
Producer - McKinley Jackson , Norman Connors
B1. Captain Connors 3:16
Arranged By, Conductor - Dwight Brewster , Wah Wah Watson , Norman Connors
Soloist [Electric Piano] - Bobby Lyle
Soloist [Mini-moog] - Billy McCoy
B2. You Make Me Feel Brand New 5:45
B3. Butterfly 4:58
Arranged By, Conductor - Jacques Burvick
B4. The Creator 7:58
Arranged By, Conductor - Norman Connors
Soloist [Piano] - Bobby Lyle
Soloist [Saxophone, Tenor] - Pharoah Sanders
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