Another "new" thing I (re)discovered during my bout of Covid joy was The James Taylor Quartet (or "JTQ" to avoid confusion with the guy from across the pond who could never be bothered to get out of his rocking chair). I had heard his super-famous version of "Starsky and Hutch", but I also remember a terrific take on Lalo Schifrin's DIRTY HARRY.
Thereafter I recall hearing bits of "The Money Spyder" album, which a friend of mine had - a "soundtrack" to an imaginary spy film. Quite recently (2018?) he did "Soundtrack From Electric Black", which his site describes as a fromage to Lalo Schifrin and Oliver Nelson. Well worth seeking out by hook or by crook.
I see that he has new one out - "Man in the Hot Seat". I've just played the first track, which is a muthafuckin' greeeaat version of THE TAKING PELHAM ONE TWO THREE. I think that this album might be taken down shortly from YouTube, seeing as it's only been on sale for a week.
I'm not too familiar with the group other than knowing they're not related to James Taylor himself. But I adore their version of the Jonny Quest theme and was really hoping it would somehow make it onto LLL's set as I don't think it's commercially available.
Ohh Graham. You've sent me right down a funky rabbit hole here. Brilliant!
That first track on the new album is a weird one. It's so obviously influenced by Pelham, without actually being it.... I mean. Maybe it's a rip off, but it's great!
Thanks for the tip. In addition to my love of Schifrin/Shire funk, I've always had a thing for the Hammond organ jazz greats, so can't wait to dig into JT's many albums.
In 2017 the group The Seven Ups recorded the album "Drinking Water". This great cue from it was used in the TV series "Goliath". Love the 70s aesthetics of this scene
Ohh Graham. You've sent me right down a funky rabbit hole here. Brilliant!
That first track on the new album is a weird one. It's so obviously influenced by Pelham, without actually being it.... I mean. Maybe it's a rip off, but it's great!
Hey Big Jim, you're right again! I've listened to the whole album now. It's freakin' awesome, man! But that first track, although clearly based on PELHAM, is the only one which as far as I can hear actually apes a particular existing film score. When the JTQ did Starsky and Hutch and Dirty Harry, those were the titles of the tracks! But no film references in any of the track titles this time. It's just a mood thing. Whatever, did I tell you that it's FREAKIN' AWESOME, man?
A kind man (Dr Ken McGoon) once treated me for my "technophobia". It didn't work (at least his services were free), so I still can't get YouTube videos "into bed", so maybe one of you nice people could do some full-screen jobbies for me. Thanx!!
Been a fan since the early years and my most played probably remain wait A Minute and The Moneyspyder but they are still writing great funk and never lost their groove with, in more recent years, the Quickfire Audio Network Sessions and "Soundtrack From Electric Black". But there is so much; Message From The Godfather and Swinging London are also tremendous, so many moods covered from laid back to "action". Love 'em.
I'm enjoying JTQ's 2018 album "Soundtrack From Electric Black" even more than his (great) newly-released "Man in the Hot Seat. There seems to be more variety to it, and the Hammond organ is more to the fore throughout. My perfect groovy soundtrack for a film that doesn't exist.
JTQ fans might also enjoy the short-lived group Oranj Symphonette from San Francisco. Matt Brubeck (Dave's son), Joe Gore, and Ralph Carney were in the band--I forget the others. I think ex-Tom Waits band members. They did 2 albums--the first a Mancini tribute. On the second they did They Call Me Mister Tibbs (Q Jones), Satin Doll (Duke), Arabesque and Dreamsville (Mancini), After the Fox (Bacharach), Beat Girl and Midnight Cowboy (Barry), Mag 7 (Elmer), Bananas (Hamlisch), A Man and a Woman (Lai), Chelsea Bridge (Strayhorn), and Up, Up, and Away (Webb).
Excellent jazz/rock, very much a 90s style. Wish they had done more.
Graham, (Or indeed, everyone...) have you ever heard the italian group "Calibro 35?"
I heard an album of theirs being playing in a bar about 10 years ago and was maybe a little more urgent than necessary with the barman to find out who they were. Lots of original material, but also lots of really interesting covers of things only us lot here would even have a chance of recognising. Bacalov, Morricone, Trovaioli etc. Often presented as the score to an imaginary film. Really work checking out.
Big Jim - I hadn't heard of Calibro 35 before, but I dug into three of their albums and I dug them! I wasn't looking at the playlist so wasn't sure what was their own stuff and what were versions of actual Italian films (except for some of the Morricones, the ones I recognised at least). I sure dug/digged it.
villagardens - As an ignoramus, a numpty AND a nutmeg, I hadn't heard of Oranj Symphonette either, but I'm glad you made me aware of them. I haven't "dug" (stop it!) into their Mancini album, but I did hear the first part of their second (and last) album, "Oranj Album". I digged it so much! Love how they followed Q's THEY CALL ME MISTER TIBBS with their... highly unusual cover of THE MAGNIFICENT 7! I can only imagine how thrilled I'd be to hear those things (and Calibro 35) at a concert "unprimed" as to what to expect.
Compared to the James Taylor Quartet, I can imagine that both Calibro 35 and Oranj Symhonette would find favour with the indie circle, who just might lambast the slicker sound of JTQ, but it's a kind of artificial division anyway. I'm happy to derive much pleasure from all three bands.
Calibro 35 is currently the only place to hear (as far as I know) Armando Trovajoli's great theme to the film LA MALA ORDINA (aka THE ITALIAN CONNECTION) outside of the film:
I've never really warmed to the JTQ I'm afraid, but 'Soundtrack from Electric Black' is much more listenable, thanks to the addition of the orchestra.
Thanks Thierry, but the sound effects and dialogue somewhat spoil the music on that. I know there is a 'clean' piece on YT but not with particularly good quality. I believe the tapes are lost, which is a shame.
You're right about the Calibro 35 version - a little bit of brass would work wonders for starters, but the group is what the group is.
