Customer Reviews

Harlem River Drive

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If (Like me), you're only familiar will Eddie Palmieri (or "Charlie Palmieri"), via either's solo work, this will come as something as a slight shock, recorded originally in back in the 70's with a full band, This recording has been given a new lease of life, by the recent re-release of this seminal cd. This has the opportunity of inticing a new slew of fans, such is the brilliantly performed and arranged material here, that anyone with a passing interest in Latin, Funk, and Afro-Cuban Jazz, simply must check this out.

The Running time is only a partly 30 mins, but such complaints do prove to be somewhat redundant, as one listen to the performances contained here, will make such quibbles regarding its length seem foolish. This is the perfect example of the sound of Latin Americans migrating to North America, and becoming influenced by ther new surroundings and forming groups, and then performing/recording expressive and passionate music that not only touches upon the roots of latin music, but sounds like it was influenced by Black music such and R&B and early Soul. Because there is so much energy, modal musical shapes, rhythmic precision and melodic arrangements, that it's truly a wonder that this Cd, hasn't had the widespread recognition and praises heaped upon it, like some of the more universally recognised Jazz/Latin albums out there.

The Percussion throughout is sublime, and it highlights Eddie & Charlie's composition and arrangement skills to the fore, and if you've never given Eddie's (or indeed Charlies) other work the time of day, then I assure you, after listening to this staggering work, you'll certainly be inclined to seek out more of their work. As it takes on an almost experimental and improvisational feeling, moving effortlessly from mood, groove, feel and texture. multi-dimensional percussion sections, coupled with brass-heavy horn sections, and carefree guitar and ethereal keyboard work. Not that this album is anything less than accessible, which it frequently is...it's just that, this feels like a Special moment in time, when all the musicians are perfectly in synch with each other and remain musically locked into each other then and are Instinctually feeding off each other, you should take this opportunity to hear a exceptional one-off spectaclular performance, fron a band that would never (seemingly) follow up this landmark album. And it's a classic, not just purely for how breathtaking brilliant it was, but also for the fact that some 30 years later, it still sounds as innovative and essential as it did in the 70's. A must have release

I'm sitting here. I just unwrapped and listened to this album for the first time after getting it in the mail from Amazon. I can't move. I can't think. I am having a bit of trouble breathing. I don't know what to say. I am blown away. Every other song I've listened to in the following minutes, by other folks in all kinds of other genres, has sounded elucidated, beautified, more unique in itself. Something very rare has happened on this recording.

Attempts at musical fusion generally follow one of the two following courses: 1) they fail; or 2) they succeed, the music is "good," but nothing was really FUSED -- the components drawn from each style stand separate from each other. On this recording, the music suffers neither fate. A unique and captivating music is all that you will hear and feel. And not only does this album fuse genres, but it fuses other musical notions as well. For example, in "Broken Home" it combines atmospheric music with a very attention-demanding style -- that is, atmospheric music that is not for ambiance (note the pun on the literal meaning of "ambiance").

The writers and performers who created this music have shared their vision, an understanding of place, people, and sound. I recommend the experience.

This is just great music. Funk through the eyes of the great Eddie Palmieri. A total fusion of the time period. A mix of funky, jazzy latin rock-a little like the band "War".

I had not heard this album in 20 years. It sounds better than I remember. Jimmy Norman is a great singer. Eddie Palmieri was at his best. The musicianship of the band was beyond compare. The lyrics were powerful and had a positive message.

Eddie Palmieri, like most early-1970s jazz players, must have known popular music had taken over the world and caught the bug.Whether he wanted to make money or just expand his horizons, it really doesn't matter.

He formed this band, Harlem River Drive, in 1970, and made one hell of an album. Truth be told, this project does not have much to do with the Latin Jazz Eddie is known for. Harlem River Drive is an out and out soul funk album: wha whas, grooving percussion, all the ingredients you would expect from a crack unit during the era.

And more: with a baritone sax--an extremely underused instrument in all genres--in front, this album has a uniquely jazzy flavor, even though the beats could be off a Santana or War or Mandrel album.

As funk, it works full bore, but the novel textures here make an already fantastic funk project so much more.

Harlem River Drive is a classic collabo from the 70s featuring piano maestro Eddie Palmieri and his older brother Charlie on the organ. With roots in the pure Puerto Rican salsa of New York City (Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco), Palmieri weaves in jazz influences from Cal Tjader, and fatback soul from lead singer Jimmy Norman. Palmieri recruited a primo group of talent for the HDR project: guitarist Cornell Dupree,saxaphonist Ronnie Cuber and Randy Brecker on trumpet, among others. Eddie described the sound as "La Perfecta". From the minute the first track "Harlem River Drive" hits the air, the throbbing heartbeat of the percussion, mixed with he high-low fusion of bright trumpets and baritone sax announce the pedigree of the HDR alliance. Norman schools you that HDR is the stretch of road "from 125th Street to a bridge called GW"--a wink at native New York. "Idle Hands", and "Seeds of Life" follow the same power groove, still fresh and electrifying after all these years. "If (We had Peace Today)", and "Broken Home" are more characteristic of the social commentary heard in Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". "Broken Home" is especially haunting with its hypnotic echos and instrumental improvisation reflecting the loss of innocence. This album is a great of example of well-crafted "organic" music--one with a pulse and soul.

I had the very good fortune to study music, as did Eddie & Charlie Palmieri, Barry Rogers and many others, with the late Bob Bianco, a great man, musician & teacher. The track listing properly credits Bob as co-composer of one piece and for guitar on several tracks. The liner notes single out his soprano sax playing on one of the tracks. Bob sang wonderfully (hear the final cut on Justicia), played piano and guitar but never touched any sax and was not a big fan of soprano in particular. This is a wonderful album of great music; the liner notes deserve to be as good.

Harlem River Drive holds a very deep place inside my heart and I'm glad to see its still alive and well and others out there appreciate this very special music.

If (Like me), you're only familiar will Eddie Palmieri (or "Charlie Palmieri"), via either's solo work, this will come as something as a slight shock, recorded originally in back in the 70's with a full band, This recording has been given a new lease of life, by the recent re-release of this seminal cd. This has the opportunity of inticing a new slew of fans, such is the brilliantly performed and arranged material here, that anyone with a passing interest in Latin, Funk, and Afro-Cuban Jazz, simply must check this out.

The Running time is only a partly 30 mins, but such complaints do prove to be somewhat redundant, as one listen to the performances contained here, will make such quibbles regarding its length seem foolish. This is the perfect example of the sound of Latin Americans migrating to North America, and becoming influenced by ther new surroundings and forming groups, and then performing/recording expressive and passionate music that not only touches upon the roots of latin music, but sounds like it was influenced by Black music such and R&B and early Soul. Because there is so much energy, modal musical shapes, rhythmic precision and melodic arrangements, that it's truly a wonder that this Cd, hasn't had the widespread recognition and praises heaped upon it, like some of the more universally recognised Jazz/Latin albums out there.

The Percussion throughout is sublime, and it highlights Eddie & Charlie's composition and arrangement skills to the fore, and if you've never given Eddie's (or indeed Charlies) other work the time of day, then I assure you, after listening to this staggering work, you'll certainly be inclined to seek out more of their work. As it takes on an almost experimental and improvisational feeling, moving effortlessly from mood, groove, feel and texture. multi-dimensional percussion sections, coupled with brass-heavy horn sections, and carefree guitar and ethereal keyboard work. Not that this album is anything less than accessible, which it frequently is...it's just that, this feels like a Special moment in time, when all the musicians are perfectly in synch with each other and remain musically locked into each other then and are Instinctually feeding off each other, you should take this opportunity to hear a exceptional one-off spectaclular performance, fron a band that would never (seemingly) follow up this landmark album. And it's a classic, not just purely for how breathtaking brilliant it was, but also for the fact that some 30 years later, it still sounds as innovative and essential as it did in the 70's. A must have release

I heard this album approximately one year after its release. My best friend Leon turned me on to it and I was immediately taken. This is a must have album combining the best of Salsa, Latin and Jazz. Idle Hands is my favorite cut but the entire album is a must have for any serious collector of music (especially latin and jazz). The album reminds me of many days spent during the seventies listening to the great music created during that period. Harlem River Drive stands as a shining example of that period and the great music that was created.