Uploaded by projazz on June 19, 2019 at 3:59 pm

Blacks and Blues is the third studio album by American jazz flutist Bobbi Humphrey recorded in 1973 and released on the Blue Note label.

“Bobbi Humphrey scored her biggest hit with her third album Blacks and Blues, an utterly delightful jazz-funk classic that helped make her a sensation at Montreux. If it sounds a lot like Donald Byrd’s post-Black Byrd output, it’s no accident; brothers Larry and Fonce Mizell have their fingerprints all over the album, and as on their work with Byrd, Larry handles all the composing and most of the arranging and production duties. It certainly helps that the Mizells were hitting on all cylinders at this point in their careers, but Humphrey is the true star of the show; she actually grabs a good deal more solo space than Byrd did on his Mizell collaborations, and she claims a good deal of responsibility for the album’s light, airy charm. Her playing is indebted to Herbie Mann and, especially, Hubert Laws, but she has a more exclusive affinity for R&B and pop than even those two fusion-minded players, which is why she excels in this setting. Mizell is at the peak of his arranging powers, constructing dense grooves with lots of vintage synths, wah-wah guitars, and rhythmic interplay. Whether the funk runs hot or cool, Humphrey floats over the top with a near-inexhaustible supply of melodic ideas. She also makes her vocal debut on the album’s two ballads, “Just a Love Child” and “Baby’s Gone”; her voice is girlish but stronger than the genre standard, even the backing vocals by the Mizells and keyboardist Fred Perren. Overall, the album’s cumulative effect is like a soft summer breeze, perfect for beaches, barbecues, and cruising with the top down.” – Steve Huey/AllMusic.

Track listing:

All compositions by Larry Mizell

“Chicago, Damn” – 6:31

“Harlem River Drive” – 7:50

“Just a Love Child” – 6:34

“Blacks and Blues” – 4:37

“Jasper Country Man” – 5:14

“Baby’s Gone” – 8:48

Recorded at The Sound Factory, Los Angeles, California on June 6, 7 & 8, 1973

Personnel:

Bobbi Humphrey – flute, vocals

Jerry Peters – piano, electric piano

Fonce Mizell – clavinet, trumpet, vocals

Freddie Perren – synthesizer, vocals

David T. Walker – guitar

Chuck Rainey – electric bass

Harvey Mason – drums

Stephanie Spruill – percussion

Chuck Davis – vocals

Larry Mizell – vocals, arranger, conductor

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Released: 1973

Recorded: June 6, 7 & 8, 1973 at Sound Factory, Hollywood, California

Length: 39:34

Label: Blue Note

Producer: Larry Mizell



