Customer Reviews

Blacks & Blues

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What more can you say about Bobbi Humphrey, but that she nailed this and many other albums down for jazz's sake. Stevie Wonder once said that it was the sound of Bobbi's flute that pulled him out of his coma after he got in that accident. Man, the woman represents!!! Blue note aficiandos, best pick this up. She was hustling in New York, getting doors slammed in her face, trying to get her music heard, but nobody showed her love. Until, Blue Note signed her. Word. Now, there is a true black woman role model, not that Trina and Lil' Kim horesh*^#!

This masterpiece gives reason to why so many of us gen x'ers constantly 'dig in the crates' for buried treasure. It's so richly textured with grooves, yet so underappreciated by many. If you can get a copy, I'd highly advise it.

Bobbie's music is unmatchable. Her greatest albums were Fancy Dancer & Satin Doll. She played 20 years before her time. Many flautist copy her in the 90's. I wish to see her play in Birmingham, Alabama. She would have a sell out crowd that remembered her from the 70's. I truly love her music. The two albums mentioned above seem to be out of print...Ooh what a waste..

Bobbi Humphrey's Blacks & Blues is an excellent arrangement of urban jazz music. Similar to much of Donald Byrds post- Black Byrd music. Humphrey has a great deal of solo work throughout the entire album as well as two vocal appearances reminiscent of Minnie Riperton. Blacks & Blues is an excellent album to add to any jazz listeners collection.

Okay...so this album is in my cart and I look forward to receiving it. I have been fortunate on a couple of occassions to be in the company of Ms. Humphrey. Had I no idea, whatsoever, that I was in the company of a genius. Whoaa!! Had I known it like that I would have "bowed" before her. Good music has been deemed timeless. Bobbi Humphrey makes timeless music.

Rolanda Hines

You will be pleasantly surprised by the way the songs flow. Not a long album but the selections are lengthy and developed. Although urban influenced one can picture himself cruising along the beach or plains of the midwest because the music is laid back! The producer and writer is also responsible for some of Donald Byrd's best music of the era.

You've probably heard "Harlem River Drive" before if you're into this style of music... It appears on countless '70s funk/crossover Jazz compilations... Further, if you live in Japan, you may have seen the cover popping up in the oddest of places (I can swear I saw it once on a t-shirt.) - - For sure, the Japanese find it cool, and so do I... but what about the rest of the album? - - Well, its a straight through listen type thing... All the tracks groove, even when they're mellow... and to that extent, I agree with other reviewers who point out how WAY ahead of the time it was... definitely hints of the "smooth Jazz" formula is there... however, make no mistake, the album is 100% funky... Considering that the album was produced by the Mizell Brothers, this should not be surprising.
Incidentally, the album was released on Blue Note circa 1973... Bobbi was actually the first female artist to sign as a leader on that label, admittedly though this was after the "heyday" of the label when they had the look and sound that most people like myself came to love them for....

All in all, this is a great album... I wouldn't necessarily rank it up there with Blackbyrds and Donald Byrd stuff, (or even my favorite album in that genre, Roy Ayer's MYSTIC VOYAGE) I will say this: if you get it, you'll love it for years to come... and if you're the type of person who likes to sample Jazz, Funky, Acid Groovin' music (which I'm not), you will REALLY REALLY REALLY like it - - Between Harvey Mason Srs drum work, Chuck Chuck Rainey's loose but groovin' bass, and Freddie Perren's synth work, the album provides plenty of sick beats and spaced out atmospheres !

Nothing to say except you won't be sorry if you had one of these to play for someone special.

I owned this product for many years on vinyl and it remained sealed for many years. With many years past I held this LP until I finally sold on Ebay. I got 95.00 dollars for it with the beginning bid at 1.00 dollar. I realized the true value and how rare it was. Thank god for reissues and the availabilty of it being on CD. The music is still fresh and remarkable. She broke barriers for flautist (flute) and female jazz musicians. If you are considering this product don't hesitate. You will get great music and superior service from this seller. Thank you very much.
JDJ

Let me be brief.Bobbi Humphrey is my favorite Flautist.Then,Now,and forever.The music that was created by her and the Mizell Brothers is unparalleled.Chicago Damn,Blacks and Blues,Satin Doll, Ladies Day, and Homemade Jam, to name a few are songs that no doubt will stand the test of time.The same can also be said for the collaboration of Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds with the Mizell brothers.A strong foundation for any smooth Jazz, or just good music collection.