Sample This

by Joe Sample

Overview

In case anyone has forgotten how ingratiating and prolific Joe Sample the songwriter has been, the master of elegant funk re-records 14 songs here. And it is a cooler, more reflective light in which Sample and producer George Duke see his old tunes in the '90s: with relaxed, uncomplicated, to-the-point acoustic piano leads; a mildly percolating beat; and a veneer-thin garnish of electronics. It is both safe and risky to revisit the past -- safe because one is surrounded by comfortable material and risky because artists seldom recapture all of the old spark. Alas, more often than not, the latter applies to Sample's attempt to go home again, though the good tunes remain good tunes. Some of the songs go back to the Crusaders; "Free as the Wind" especially lacks the energy of the original, but "Put It Where You Want It," thanks in part to Sample's use of a funky old Wurlitzer electric piano, has a nice groove. Finally, just for fun, Sample slips in a jaunty solo benediction courtesy of Jelly Roll Morton, "Shreveport Stomp." ~ Richard S. Ginell

Product Details

Release Date:	12/10/2014
Label:	Wea
UPC:	4943674197446

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Joe Sample   Primary Artist,Organ,Piano,Keyboards,Wurlitzer,Synthesizer,Fender Rhodes,Piano (Electric)
Everette Harp   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Lynn Davis   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Lori Perry   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Jim Gilstrap   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Dennis Rowland   Guest Artist,Vocals
Hubert Laws   Guest Artist,Flute
Dianne Reeves   Guest Artist,Vocals
George Duke   Mini Moog,Synthesizer
Marcus Miller   Bass
Steve Gadd   Drums
Lenny Castro   Drums,Percussion
Castro   Drums,Percussion
Dean Parks   Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic)
Jay Anderson   Bass

Technical Credits

Jelly Roll Morton   Composer
George Duke   Musician,Producer
Joe Sample   Composer,Producer
Will Jennings   Composer,Lyricist
Erik Zobler   Mixing,Engineer,Overdubs
Wayne Holmes   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Corine Duke   Production Coordination
Gregory Rosebud Gilmer   Design,Art Direction
Mario de Lopez   Photography
John Rod   Assistant Engineer
Doug Sax   Mastering
Ferdinand Joseph Morton   Composer