Known Fact

Cornelius Bumpus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 15, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Palmetto Records
• ASIN: B000046S0F
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,754 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very pleasant smooth-jazz CD from the late Cornelius Bumpus, December 28, 2005

By 

Dave "missing person" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Known Fact (Audio CD)

It was a shock to learn that Cornelius Bumpus had died last year; he died at age 58 from a massive heart attack while on an airplane flight. Bumpus is certainly most well-remembered for playing with the Doobie Brothers--he joined the Doobies in the late '70s and appeared on their 1980 album "One Step Closer", writing and singing lead on the classic "Thank You Love". Bumpus also played live with the reunited Doobies, as well as the reunited Steely Dan, in the mid-'90s. Bumpus released one solo album in 1981 called "A Clear View", and then an album credited to the Cornelius Bumpus Quartet in 1983 called "Beacon".

"Known Fact" is his final album of his lifetime. It was recorded in 1999, and reportedly was released in February of 2000. It's extremely mellow, definitely in a smooth-jazz/ 'elevator music' style. And an extremely pleasant album it is, very tastefully played and produced, with a winning 'late-night' atmosphere to it.

There are background vocal chants of the respective titles on "Takin' It To the Streets" and "I'll Take You There", and Bumpus displays his excellent, soulful vocals on the album closer "Drown In My Own Tears".

Apart from those few tracks, the disc is entirely instrumental. "Dig You" and the Bumpus-penned "Jupiter Spin" are splendid, arrestingly contemplative tracks. Bumpus mixes things effectively, switching from saxophone to flute on the upbeat, samba-styled "Abundare". It's fair to say that he's coasting with his covers of the Doobies' "Takin' It To the Streets" and the Staple Singers "I'll Take You There", but even though they're hardly revealatory, they do come off nicely. He tries to funk things up on "Stand Up And Be Counted", and it's the one track on the album that strikes me as sounding forced.

Overall though, the album finds an engaging mellow groove and sticks with it, making for an extremely pleasant listen. When the right mood hits, this is a disc you can basically play straight through and not feel compelled to skip and of the tracks. It's a fine swan-song from the talented Cornelius Bumpus.

4.0 out of 5 stars Former Doobie Brother's Sax Man, gone solo, September 18, 2010

By 

Peps - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Known Fact (Audio CD)

Cornelius Bumpus was an excellent sax man & actually did great vocals when he was with the Doobie Brothers. He's played in numerous bands & I've caught his performances "live". Both with Doobie Bros. & Steely Dan. Tha man has talent. The Cd "Known Fact" is a decent album, but follows more in the cool jazz like David Sanborn style instead of the Rockin' style. Which makes it slightly disappointing when he renders "Takin' It To The Streets" & Chain Lightning" on this CD. I felt the arrangements were a little off, that doesn't really showcase Cornelius at his "peak best". But that still doesn't mean this is a bad album. If you've ever heard the Doobie Brothers do a different arrangement of "Jesus Is Just Alright With Me", the original compared to the new. It was Cornelius who first gave the Gospel style tinge that they use today. To check out Cornelius's great contribution to that song, listen to the "Doobie Brother's Farewell Tour" CD from 1983 (A Fantastic & under rated "live album"). So if your in the mood for smooth jazz over rockin' out, this is the Cd for you.