Captain Buckles

David "Fathead" Newman

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1971
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Label M.
• ASIN: B0000516UY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #301,093 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Captain Buckles falls into that category of solid Atlantic-label jazz albums from the late 1960s and '70s that have never made it to CD reissue--at least until now. The original producer of Buckles, Joel Dorn (also the mastermind behind Label M, which is making headway in reissuing a potpourri of important, long-neglected albums), is determined to rectify this situation. The music, featuring Newman's robust tenor sax and Blue Mitchell's soulful trumpet, fits perfectly into today's funky, jam-based, jazz. Heavily influenced by the "soul jazz" of Horace Silver, this set rests more on funk rhythms (courtesy of drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie) than on bebop or swing. For all that, Newman and Mitchell drive their horns primarily in the hard-bop vernacular, eschewing much of the free-jazz furor of the day. A plaintive version of the Beatles' "Something," sounds every bit like an early blueprint for smooth jazz, relying on Fathead Newman's vocalized, melodic sax, and Eric Gale's rock-tinged guitar. Might Atlantic have been looking for a young audience in the day? Ironically, what may not have succeeded in 1970 is highly likely to go big now, given the resurgence of funky jazz and the down-home quality of this unpretentious, earthy music (and that one nod to pop jazz). --Wally Shoup

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FATHEAD on fire!, January 14, 2007

By	Swing King (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

David "Fathead" Newman lays down the soul and funk on listeners of his 1970 classic, "Captain Buckles". Newman, best known for his twelve years in Ray Charles' band, plays one mean sax and flute on these recordings. This is music that adds some extra bounce to your step. This is first class, proud music, which shouts out and grabs your attention from open to end.

Newman is accompanied here by some fine sidemen on this fiery recording, including Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Eric Gale (electric and acoustic guitars), Steve Novosel (bass), and Bernard Purdie (drums). These musicians paint one smooth, soul-funk-jazz explosion in a grooving way. This album must be a classic, the technical and ascetic appeal is apparent with each note. This is Newman in his prime, making "Captain Buckles" a must have for your collection.