Well this was enjoyable! Not really sure what I was listening too. There wasn't much information out there about the ensemble Missing Links and their Groovin' album.
If I'm not mistaken, under the direction of Howie Morrel, seasoned jazz players including George Jinda, Najee, Omar Hakim, John Scofield, Bill Evans, Nile Rodgers, Bernard Wright and others, got together in 1987 to produce funky, soulful renditions of earlier, popular tunes.
The very pleasing results were releases in 1988 by MCA Records, Inc. It made great background music for whatever Jim was working on any particular day.
The tunes are either very relaxing, or downright uplifting. The track list includes:
Groovin'
Saxophone – Najee
Synthesizer – Donald Blackman
Vocals – Al Chestnut, Tyrone Chestnut
Written-By – Edward Brigati, Jr., Felix Cavaliere
I'll Be There
Piano, Synthesizer – Donald Blackman
Saxophone – Najee
Synthesizer – Bernard Wright
Written-By – Berry Gordy, Bob West, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch
Walk On By
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Donald Blackman
Saxophone – Najee
Vocals – Al Chestnut, Tyrone Chestnut
Written-By – Burt Bacharach - Hal David
(Sittin' On) Dock Of The Bay
Guitar – John Scofield
Synthesizer – Bernard Wright
Written-By – Otis Redding, Steve Cropper
Shotgun
Guitar – John Scofield
Synthesizer – Bernard Wright
Written-By – Autry DeWalt
Everday People / Thank You (Fa Lettin' Me Be Mice Elf Agin)
Guitar – Nile Rodgers
Keyboards – Bernard Wright
Tenor Saxophone – Lenny Pickett
Vocals – Al Chestnut, Tyrone Chestnut
Written-By – Sylvester Stewart
Stand By Me
Keyboards – Michael Beardon
Piano – Donald Blackman
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Written-By – Ben E. King, Mike Leiber - Mike Stoller
Don't Hold Back
Alto Saxophone – Lenny Pickett
Synthesizer – Donald Blackman
Written-By – Howard Morrel
Dancing In The Street
Synthesizer – Bernard Wright, Donald Blackman
Tenor Saxophone – Lenny Pickett
Written-By – Marvin Gaye, Willam Stevenson - Ivy Hunter
| Take a few moments to listen to the title track Groovin' below. And oh. I love the picture of the lady swinging. It makes me smile. |
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