There was a time when jazz was a music for the masses and not just for music students, pretentious middle class wankers or enthusiastic Europeans.
At various times in its history: in its Dixie heyday, ragtime, cool jazz or lounge stylings it was very popular and broad reaching but it was in its jazz rock bastardised style that it had its biggest reach on pop tastes and sensibilities.
To be sure it was never going to rival the big pop stars but it die make the jazz on a regular basis.
Okay … it’s not really jazz but it is rock played by jazz musicians who have brought some of their jazz stylings, patterns and structures to the rock world
Jazz rock is variously defined as:
"Jazz fusion (also known as fusion) is a musical genre that developed in the late 1960s when musicians combined jazz harmony and improvisation with rock music, funk, and rhythm and blues. Electric guitars, amplifiers, and keyboards that were popular in rock and roll started to be used by jazz musicians, particularly those who had grown up listening to rock and roll." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_fusion#Jazz_rock
“Jazz-rock first emerged during the late '60s as an attempt to fuse the visceral power of rock with the musical complexity and improvisational fireworks of jazz. Since rock often emphasized directness and simplicity over virtuosity, jazz-rock generally grew out of the most artistically ambitious rock subgenres of the late '60s and early '70s: psychedelia, progressive rock, and the singer/songwriter movement”. https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/jazz-rock-ma0000012014
There were different types of jazz rock:
- Singer-songwriter jazz rock: the mellower more cerebral side of jazz relying on vocal, as well as instrumental, improvisation (Tim Buckley, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison).
- higher-energy jam oriented rock bands borrowing jazz harmonies and instruments for their extended and technical rock-flavoured improvisations (Santana, Traffic)
- jazz-flavoured R&B or pop songs that use the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic sensibilities of jazz, but were more pop oriented and less interested in improvisation or instrumental virtuosity (Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago, Steely Dan, (some) Sly & the Family Stone, (some)(later) Rascals, (some) Colours).
- Experimental: those who used jazz's complexity to expand rock's musical horizons in instrumental technique and in composition (usually quirky and often dense and challenging) (Frank Zappa, the Soft Machine).
- A mix of some or all of the above (Miles Davis, The Headhunters, Chick Corea and Return to Forever, Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra, (some) Jeff Beck)
Acts like Blood Sweat and Tears and early Chicago (when they were the Chicago Transit Authority) were the chart leaders but many other bands played, to various degrees, jazz rock: Chase, Pacific Gas & Electric, The Third Eye, Lighthouse, The Flock, Electric Flag, Ides of March, Tower of Power, and New Heavenly Blue. The styles also affected many singer songwriters, most notably Tim Buckley and Joni Mitchell.
Sky King formed in Ann Arbor Michigan in about 1974 and were a bit late in the piece, the style being pretty much dead by the date of this their first and only album in 1975.
Their nucleus ((Chris Brubeck, David Mason, Peter Ruth) had all played together in “New Heavenly Blue" who had released two albums, "Educated Homegrown” (1970) and “New Heavenly Blue” (1972).
And, true to anything to do with jazz … the musicians, all know¸ and have played with each other, and, have played on many records as session musicians. Musical family trees in jazz are akin to a bowl of spaghetti …and jazz rock trees are no exception.
Chris Brubeck: A multi-instrumentalist (fretless electric bass, bass trombone, piano), vocalist, composer and orchestrator, and the son of jazz legend Dave Brubeck, born March 19, 1952 in Los Angeles, California. His resume includes stints in The Brubeck LaVerne Trio, New Heavenly Blue, Sky King, The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, The New Brubeck Quartet, Triple Play, and Two Generations Of Brubeck
David Mason: an American guitarist / violinist / vocalist from NYC (not to be confused with English guitarist Dave Mason) who had worked with Dave Brubeck in the early 1970s as well as being a member in “New Heavenly Blue”.
Rick Jacobi: guitar. Ostensibly a commercial artist he only seems to have played in this band.
Chris Coan: vocals. Coan seems to have come from theatre with no musical band experience prior to this.
Richie Morales: a jazz drummer who had played with Dave Brubeck (in Two Generations of Brubeck) and many others.
Guest and sometime member:
Peter "Madcat" Ruth: is an American harmonica player, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, born in Chicago 1949. He played with Dave Brubeck, was in New Heavenly Blue, and done a lot of session work with people like Bootsy Collins, Ken Nordine, and Blackfoot
For this debut album they added:
the full horn section from Oakland, California’s R&B-based soul, jazz and funk band “Tower of Power” (Stephen MacKenzie Kupka: saxophonist and composer, Emilio Castillo: saxophonist, Lenny Pickett : alto and tenor saxophonist), Greg Adams: Trumpet, Flugelhorn)
as well as:
Jerry Bergonzi: Jazz saxophonist, who had played with Dave Brubeck in Two Generations of Brubeck
Perry Robinson: a free jazz and klezmer clarinettist who was in many jazz groups including the Galaxie Dream Band in the 70s,and Two Generations of Brubeck with Chris Brubeck and Peter Ruth. He has done much session work as well as solo.
Lee Pastora: a conga player who has done much session work with jazz acts (especially Don Ellis) and rock bands.
Joshie Armstead: backing vocalist. In the early 1960's she was a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue as one of the original Ikettes. From 1964 -1967 she was part of a songwriting team with Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, co-writing songs such as 'Let's Go Get Stoned' and 'I Don't Need No Doctor' by Ray Charles)
Maretha Stewart: backing vocalist. She is a singer and voice actress, known for The Wiz , Schoolhouse Rock! and The Muppets. She has done much session work and is perhaps best known for her improvised backing vocals on the track "If Dogs Run Free" from Bob Dylan’s “New Morning”.
Cissy Houston: backing vocalist. The legendary Cissy (mother of Whitney and sometimes Elvis backup singer), vocalist in The Drinkard Singers and the Sweet Inspirations as well as a lot of solo pop and gospel.
The music is really jazz rock circa 1972 though incorporating folk, blues, jazz, country, funk and experimental asides.
The album was produced by Martyn Ford and an uncredited Steve Cropper (tracks: A1 to A4, B1, B3). Guitarist rick Jacobi says, “By the way, most of the album was actually recorded and produced by Steve Cropper at his studio in Memphis. He recorded us for free on spec (including paying for us to stay at a motel for two weeks), and eventually sold the material to Columbia. We finished the recording in NY at Columbia's "A" studio; Martyn Ford was assigned to produce us, and we more or less steamrollered right over him as much as possible. Cropper really deserves most of the credit, but as I recall, he and Columbia were kind of "on the outs" at the time. Cropper was a super-nice guy, and a real pleasure to work and hang out with”.
http://tcsoldnewmusicreview.blogspot.com/2007/11/sky-king-secret-sauce.html
Tracks (best in italics)
Side One
- Secret Sauce – (Chris Brubeck, Chris Coan, David R. Mason, Peter "Madcat" Ruth, Richie Morales, Rick Jacobi) – like a cross between Miles Davis (if he played guitar) and Jerry Reed, which isn't a strange as it may sound. All the old school country guitarists could and did play jazz. This is particularly crazed though with a lot of Jerry Reed (and a touch of Isaac Hayes "Shaft") in the result. Excellent
- People, People, People – (Chris Brubeck, David R. Mason) – A statement of faith for the band and some (early) 70s political sentiments, again, with some country asides. Jazz harmonica anyone?
- Looking Forward – (Chris Brown) – I assume this is their attempt at a more commercial song but, even then, it is not radio friendly. There is too much happening, but I like it.
- Makes Me Feel So Good – (Chris Brubeck) – this is the Kinks (backed by the Mike Cotton Sound) at their most Vaudevillian, so, I like it. The lyric may be dodgy though.
- Don´t Be Afraid (Of What You Don´t Understand) – (Chris Brubeck, David R. Mason, Richie Morales, Rick Jacobi) – Not too bad, with an emphasis on the instrumental pyrotechnics.
Side Two
- Hot Mustard – (Chris Brubeck, David R. Mason, Rick Jacobi) – a jazz rock work out with some country boogie thrown in. Excellent.
- Still In Love – (Chris Brubeck) – a bit smoother with a dullish vocal line
- Why Don´t You Take Us – (Chris Brubeck) – ha, quite funny a song about a band in the music business. The female backing vocalists are prominent on this one … and they are great.
- Pedro – (Instrumental) – (Chris Brubeck, David R. Mason, Richie Morales, Rick Jacobi) – not too bad.
- Special Place – (Chris Brubeck, David R. Mason, Rick Jacobi) – quite an upbeat sentiment to end the album.
And …
I lean to vocalists and where instruments support them. This, like a lot of jazz rock, leans to the instrumentalists but there is an energy. It is really very good, if not excellent (though tiring). My small selection of jazz rock has grown by one record … I'm keeping it.
Chart Action
Nothing no where
Sounds
Full album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suQvNk8Y4oY
Secret Sauce
mp3 attached
People, People, People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-YloTAyex0
Hot Mustard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCa6TUt854c
Why Don't You Take Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNcY-rjCtk4
Pedro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUSmP-u8P9o
Others
—
Review
http://tcsoldnewmusicreview.blogspot.com/2007/11/sky-king-secret-sauce.html
Bio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Brubeck
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Madcat_Ruth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Power#Stephen_Kupka
Website
https://www.facebook.com/chris.coan
http://www.myspace.com/rickjacobi
Trivia
- Personnel: Chris Brubeck (Dave Brubeck, the jazz great's, son) – Bass, Trombone, Piano, Vocals / David Ross Mason – Guitar, Bass, Vocals / Rick (R.J.) Jacobi – Guitar, Bass, Vocals / Richie Morales – Drums, Percussion, Vocals / Chris Coan – Lead Vocals / Guests: Peter (Madcat) Ruth – Harp, Jews Harp, Vocals / Lee Pastora – Congas, Bongos / Jerry Bergozi – Saxes / Perry Robinson – Clarinet / Lenny Pickett – Sax, Flute / Emillo Castillo – Sax / Stephen Kupka – Sax / Joshie Armstead, Maretha Stewart, Cissy Houston – Vocals
- They were working on a second album which was never released. “Hey Tom, Chris Coan here (lead singer for Sky King) Thanks for bringing back the first album, Secret Sauce. I'd also love to get my hands on the second album, Another Son is Rising. I really needed a digital copy of the songs. Hey, if you listen carefully to the title rack (Secret Sauce) and note where I scream really ultra high, right after that, there is a burp. They kept it in. Very funny. Recording with the Tower of Power horn section was a gas too. All the best, Chris” http://tcsoldnewmusicreview.blogspot.com/2007/11/sky-king-secret-sauce.html
- Chris Brubeck and Peter Ruth are still together in a band called “Triple Play”
