San Francisco Review
by Steve Huey
[-]Bobby Hutcherson's late-'60s partnership with tenor saxophonist Harold Land always produced soulful results, but not until San Francisco did that translate into a literal flirtation with funk and rock. After watching several advanced post-bop sessions gather dust in the vaults, Hutcherson decided to experiment with his sound a bit, but San Francisco still doesn't wind up the commercial jazz-funk extravaganza that purists might fear. Instead, Hutcherson and Land stake out a warm and engaging middle ground between muscular funk and Coltrane-style modality; in other words, they have their cake and eat it too. Joined by pianist/keyboardist Joe Sample (also of the Jazz Crusaders), acoustic/electric bassist John Williams, and drummer Mickey Roker, Hutcherson and Land cook up a series of spacious, breezy grooves that sound unlike any other record in the vibist's discography (even his more commercial fusion sessions). The selections -- all group-member originals -- often skirt the edges of fusion, but rarely play it as expected; they might float some spare tradeoffs over a loping, heavy bass groove, throw in an oboe solo by Land, or -- as on the slowest piece -- keep time only with intermittently spaced piano chords. It's all done with enough imagination and harmonic sophistication to achieve the rare feat of holding appeal for traditional jazz and rare-groove fans alike. It's a shame Hutcherson didn't explore this direction more, because San Francisco is not only one of his best albums, but also one of his most appealing and accessible.
- All compositions by Bobby Hutcherson except as indicated
- "Goin' Down South" (Sample) - 7:10
- "Prints Tie" - 7:29
- "Jazz" (Sample) - 5:26
- "Ummh" - 7:49
- "Procession" - 5:46
- "A Night in Barcelona" (Land) - 7:23
- Bobby Hutcherson - vibraphone, marimba, percussion
- Harold Land - tenor saxophone, flute, oboe
- Joe Sample - piano, electric piano
- John Williams - bass, Fender bass
- Mickey Roker - drums Bobby Hutcherson - San Francisco
San Francisco is an album by jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and saxophonist Harold Land, released on the Blue Note label in May 1971.[4] The album features a shift away from the usual hard bop-post-bop style pursued previously by Hutcherson and Land, and shifts towards jazz fusion. Wikipedia
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