Customer Reviews

Little Mama

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

 

 

The Arkansas Saxophonist Monk Higgins (real name Milton Bland) made two hugely sought after jazz/funk/soul albums for United Artists in 1972. The first was "Heavy Weight" - and then came this - "Little Mama".

Produced by LARRY MAXWELL, the "Little Mama" LP was originally released on Liberty/United Artists UA-LA005-F in the USA in late 1972 - this 2004 remaster is a straightforward reissue of that funky rarity and is part of EMI Europe's "Masters Of Funk & Soul" Remaster Series.

The MUSICIANS for "Little Mama" were:
MONK HIGGINS - Tenor Saxophone & Organ
JOE SAMPLE [of The Crusaders] - Piano, Clavinet & Harpsichord
CLARENCE McDONALD - Piano
WILTON FELDER [of The Crusaders} - Bass
FREDDY ROBINSON - Guitar & Harmonica
AL VESCOVO - Guitar
SPECIALTIES UNLIMITED - Backing Vocals
PAUL HUMPHREY - Drums & Percussion

The gatefold inlay has knowledgeable liner notes by noted "Chicago Soul" writer ROBERT PRUTER, but the big news is the SOUND. 24-bit remastered (34:50 minutes), the sound quality is exceptional - fantastically clear, muscular - funky -as-f**k basically.

The covers of Carole King's "Tapestry" classic "So Far Away" and the huge Bread/David Gates' hit "If" both benefit from the girly vocals of Specialties Unlimited - in fact they're on 9 of the 10 tracks. The cover of Freddy Robinson's "Black Fox" is slinky (the only song without vocals), but my favourite is the wonderfully catchy "Can't Stop" (lyrics above). It has the best guitar/bass intro, which then slides into organ and sax, then in come the sassy girls with "...can't stop...can't stop..." Really great stuff.

A cool little CD of a rare LP - complete with stunning remastered sound. Recommended.

Other titles in the "Masters Of Funk & Soul" Remaster Series are:
1. GARY BARTZ - "Music Is My Sanctuary"
2. BRASS CONSTRUCTION - "Brass Construction"
3. THE BROOKLYN, BRONX & QUEENS BAND - "The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band"
4. CALDERA - "Caldera"
5. GEORGE CLINTON - "Computer Games"
6. COLD FIRE - "Too Cold"
7. DAYTON - "Dayton"
8. DAYTON - "Hot Fun"
9. THE GENE DUNLOP BAND - "Tired Of Being A Nice Guy"
10. JIMMY G. & THE TACKHEADS - "The Federation Of Tackheads"
11. EDDIE HENDERSON - "Comin' Through"
12. HIGH FASHION - "Feelin' Lucky"
13. KC and THE SUNSHINE BAND - "KC and The Sunshine Band"
14. RONNIE LAWS - "Mr. Nice Guy"
15. LITTLE BEAVER - "When Was The Last Time"
16. BOBBY LYLE - "The Genie"
17. MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY - "Maze featuring Frankie Beverly"
18. MAZE featuring FRANKIE BEVERLY - "Joy And Pain"
19. MELBA MOORE - "The Other Side of The Rainbow"
20. MYSTIC MERLIN - "Full Moon"
21. NOEL POINTER - "Direct Hit"
22. POISIN - "On Your Way To Number One"
23. SOUTHROAD CONNECTION - "Ain't No Time To Sit Down"
24. SUN - "Wanna Make Love (Come Flick My Bic)"
25. SUN - Destination: Sun"
26. TAVARES - "Madam Butterfly"
27. T-CONNECTION - "Pure & Natural"
28. TIMMY THOMAS - You're The Song I've Always Wanted To Sing"

At the same time that progressive/psychedelic musicians were moving towards a jazz structure, and Miles and alumni were pioneering fusion from the classic jazz scene, the R&B/ Funk scene saw musicians incorporating a fusion of jazz with their style. I first became familiar with Allen Toussaint doing R&BFusion. Through Toussaint, I found a version of Monk Higgins' 'Black Fox' online. I was blown away. I was able to track down this out-of-print CD on amazon. It is an amazing album if you like some funk with your cool-bop. The album has a consistency of this original sound beautifully reinforced by a women vocal chorus. 'Little Mama' and 'Black Fox' are my most recommended tracks on an album that is great to listen straight through.

Little Mama is surpassed in greatness only by "Heavyweight." This is a fantastic record. Don't miss it.

On *every* track. The same group of insipid female vocalists, miked down so that you have to strain to hear what they are singing in order to give Monk the lead spot. Give this one a miss.