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"…Mister Man…"
Part
of Herbie Mann’s European touring band – Long Island’s AIR made only one album
– their self-titled debut on Embryo Records SD-733 issued in the Summer of
1971.
This
superb April 2008 DBK Works CD reissue of "Air" by AIR on DBK Works 543
(Barcode 646315054323) is a straightforward remaster of that rare and desirable
American vinyl LP (42:48 minutes).
Not
to be confused with the French Ambient/Electronica group of the same name – the
American AIR was a four-piece Jazz-Rock-Fusion group that featured lead singer
and principal songwriter GOOGIE. She was married at the time to the Group’s
Keyboardist TOM COPPOLA (she later went under the name of Carolyn Brooks
Gotlieb). JOHN SIEGLER provided Bass with MARK ROSENGARDEN on Drums and their
mentor HERBIE MANN produced the album.
1.
Realize
2.
Mr. Man
3.
Baby, I Don’t Know Where Love
4.
Martin
5.
In Our Time
6.
Man is Free [Side 2]
7.
Sister Bessie
8.
Lipstick
9.
Man’s Got Style
10.
Jail Cell
11.
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Session
brothers RANDY and MIKE BRECKER added Trombone and Saxophone to
"Realize", "Mr. Man" and "Sister Bessie" while
JAN HAMMER plays percussion of "Lipstick". Randy Brecker adds solo
trumpet to "Man Is Free" and Mike Brecker plays Soprano Sax on
"Lipstick". All 11 songs were written by Googie (she also played
piano, organ and harpsichord) excepting two -"Sister Bessie" which
was a Moogy Klingman original (later with Todd Rundgren’s Utopia) and the Nina
Simone standard, "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" (written
by Billy Taylor and Dick Dallas) which was recorded live at Googie’s House in
the Bronx.
The
CD remaster by GARY HOBISH is superb – adding real clarity and muscle to the
piano, congas and fusion type rhythms. The basic 8-page booklet provides some
period photos and short liner notes by Googie and Bassist John Siegler as well
as recording info.
Embryo
Records was distributed by Atlantic in the States (hence the SD catalogue
number) but for many - this obscure Vocal Fusion album passed them by. I picked
up on it via Atlantic’s 2004 CD compilation "Right On! Volume 5".
Begun in 1999 - that series (along with the "Natural High"
compilations) reintroduced a young Rock/Soul audience to Rare Grooves and
Breaks across the huge WEA catalogue. The monster track on this album for them is
"Mr. Man" – a fabulous Soulful Jazzy groove that’s part Chicago, part
Blood Sweat & Tears and part Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express. It’s a killer
- and always brought customers to the counter whenever I played it in Reckless
(Soho, London). Their sound is even reminiscent of Soft Machine, Linda Hoyle’s
Affinity and the keyboard Prog of ELP meets Freeform Jazz.
Other
highlights include "Man's Got Style" (very Mr. Man) and the lovely
piano vocal of "Jail Cell" and the funky brass breaks in "Man Is
Free". It's not all genius for sure - and after a while the vocal wailing
can grate - but there's enough on here to see why it's so revered amongst
aficionados.
A
very cool reissue of an expensive and desirable piece - kudos to all involved…
