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Herb Alpert Solo Discography • Page 4

Second Wind
Almo Sounds AMSD-80005

Produced by Herb Alpert and Jeff Lorber
Released 1996

Track listing:

1. Second Wind (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
2. Flirtation (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
3. Wherever You Are (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
4. Sneakin' In (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
5. Drivin' Home (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
6. Can't Stop Thinking About You (Herb Alpert)
7. Flamingo (Grouya, Anderson)
8. My Funny Valentine (Rodgers, Hart)
9. Side Steppin' (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
10. Rendezvous (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
11. Across The Bridge (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
12. Sugar Cane (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)

Musicians: Herb Alpert (trumpet, keyboards), Jeff Lorber (keyboards), Nathaniel Phillips (bass), John "J.R." Robinson (drums), Paul Pesco (guitar). Also includes Michael Fisher and Luis Conte (percussion), Jimmy Johnson (fretless bass solo on "Flamingo").

This album marked a new beginning for Herb Alpert. Having fulfilled his contract with A&M Records, Alpert and partner Jerry Moss formed a new "boutique" record label called Almo Sounds. Right out of the gate, Almo Sounds met with success. The alternative rock band Garbage (an alternative music supergroup comprised of leading producers in the genre, and vocalist Shirley Manson) had a hit with their debut album and the tracks "Vow", "Queer" and "Stupid Girl". It wouldn't be long until Herb Alpert delivered his own musical message, and four years after Midnight Sun, Second Wind was recorded.

This album was the result of a meeting with Jeff Lorber back in 1994, and was anticipated by the recording of "Winter Wonderland" on the Jazz To The World Christmas collection with Lorber. I admit to not being much of a Jeff Lorber fan; after all, he's given us the likes of Kenny G. and Dave Koz, and some of his own recordings tend to be formulaic fusion exercises. Luckily, Alpert knew exactly what he wanted on this album, and was able to draw on Lorber's talent (perhaps keeping it in check) without being buried beneath petty fusion cliches and layers of synthesizers.

Structurally, there really isn't much to this album. The groove is loose, a bit laid back, and especially lean. There are five musicians in the basic band, and it sounds like five. It's not strictly acoustic, but Alpert uses the electric-based backdrop more as a canvas than a wall of technofunk to bury his trumpet in (memories of North on South Street come to mind). Most of the beats derive from a loose funk or hip-hop rhythm, but quickly step out of the way once established.

But despite its spare sound, there is plenty of room for Alpert to solo. This is not the Herb Alpert you'll remember from the era of "The Lonely Bull" or "A Taste of Honey". This is a more thoughtful, more mature Alpert, although you'll still recognize his style. (He's also added a mute to his back of tricks.)

How do the songs stack up? They're a nice collection, actually. There's nothing here that has that knockout quality of something like "A Taste of Honey" or "Rise" that screams "Top 40", but that's not the intent. The songs here act more as backdrops for Alperts soloing. A bit of melody lays down the foundation, and the solos are the colorful splashes that make it interesting.

The title track, "Second Wind", punctuated by Hammond B-3 organ, perhaps recalls his Tijuana Brass style of trumpet playing the best, while the muted trumpet suggests more of jazz stylings a la Miles Davis (whom Alpert cites as an influence along with Bill Evans and Stan Getz). "Flirtation" is interesting in its used of plucked pizzicatto strings to accentuate the slinky, sexy groove. Tijuana Brass fans may recognize "Flamingo" from the S.R.O. album, and the one melodic song from the ill-fated street/hip-hop project North on South Street, "Can't Stop Thinking About You", is rescued for this album. "Sneakin' In" has a funky, bluesy Hammond organ lick that transmutates into a light hip-hop beat upon which Alpert lays some muted trumpet melodies.

This is one of Herb Alpert's most solid albums, far better than the last couple of recordings he made at the old A&M. It's enjoyable, well-crafted, loose, light jazz with funky overtones, employed with tact and restraint. Alpert fans no doubt will enjoy this immensely; others who lean toward this type of music should also be pleased. It's an album by an artist doing what he likes to do, enjoying himself in the process, and doing a fine job with the tools at his disposal. And it's a great step forward by the newly refreshed Herb Alpert.

Passion Dance
Almo Sounds AMSD-80014

Produced by Herb Alpert and Oskar Cartaya
Released 1997

Track listing:

1. TKO (Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber)
2. Slinky (Herb Alpert, Oskar Cartaya)
3. Beba (Oskar Cartaya)
4. Passion Dance (Herb Alpert, Oskar Cartaya)
5. Creepin' (Stevie Wonder)
6. Que Pasa Mr. Jones? (Herb Alpert, Oskar Cartaya, Joe Rotondi Jr.)
7. Baila Conmingo (Dance With Me) (Herb Alpert, Oskar Cartaya)
8. Until We Meet Again (Herb Alpert, Eddie Del Barrio)
9. Stormy Sunday (Herb Alpert, Oskar Cartaya, Joe Rotondi Jr.)
10. Route 101 (Juan Carlos Calderon)

Musicians: Herb Alpert (trumpet, flugelhorn), Oskar Cartaya (bass, keyboards, vocal), Joe Rotondi Jr. (piano), Marc Quiñones (timbales, bongo, percussion), Michito Sanchez (congas), Walter Rodriguez (drums, cajón, shekere), Tal Bergman (drums), Harry Kim (trumpet), Humberto Ramirez (trumpet), Justo Almario (tenor sax, alto sax, flute), Arturo Velasco (trombone), Francisco Aguabella (batá on "Route 101", quinto on "Baila Conmingo"), Otmaro Ruiz (keyboards), Ramon Stagnaro (guitar, tres), Francisco "Nenge" Hernandez (batá on "Route 101"), Eddie Del Barrio (orchestrations, strings).

This album "is dedicated to all the Tijuana Brass fans...who always ask 'When am I going to make another record.' This one's for you."

No, this is not a return of the mighty Brass to disc, but it has to be the most blatantly Latin recording Herb Alpert has ever recorded. While my earlier Latin favorite 'Fandango' was oriented toward Latin pop instrumentals, this new recording features a crack line-up of fine salsa musicians. Aside from Alpert's lead parts on the trumpet and various songwriting clues, you would not recognize this as one of his albums. Eight of these tunes were composed by Alpert and his producer/co-writer for these sessions, Oskar Cartaya.

The hot album opener "TKO" was co-penned with Jeff Lorber, with whom he collaborated on his previous set 'Second Wind'. There is a mild salsa redux of Stevie Wonder's "Creepin'", and some pleasant slower-tempo tracks such as the title track, "Beba" and "Baila Conmingo (Dance With Me). Tijuana Brass fans will smile at the "quote" from "Spanish Flea" in the song "Que Pasa Mr. Jones?", and the past is revisited again with a salsa/rock re-do of his hit from 'Fandango', "Route 101". Long time Alpert fans and salsa lovers will find a lot to enjoy with Passion Dance.

Of interest to surround-sound listeners: this album is also available as a DTS CD, playable on any DVD or CD player with a digital output and/or a DTS decoder built in.

Colors
Almo Sounds AMSD-80025

Produced by Will Calhoun, Doug Wimbish
Released June 15, 1999

Track listing:

1. Libertango (Piazzolla)
2. The Look of Love (Bacharach/David)
3. Colors (Smith)
4. I Want You (Ross, Ware)
5. Think About It (Alpert, Calhoun, Wimbish)
6. Dorita (Calhoun)
7. Lady In My Life (Temperton)
8. Love At First Glance (Alpert, Betts, Calhoun)
9. Magic Man (Alpert, Ragin, Stokes)
10. Slow Train (Alpert, Calhoun, Wimbish)

Musicians: Herb Alpert, Will Calhoun, Doug Wimbish. Lani Hall: vocals on "The Look of Love". Bernard Fowler: vocals on "Dorita".

It would be easy for the former Tijuana Brassman and founder of A&M to just rest on his career achievements or just make music to pass the time, but instead, the 60-something trumpeter rings in with one of the year's most remarkable jams. Alpert's recent output has ranged from the heart of smooth jazz (Second Wind, produced by Jeff Lorber) to fiery Latin (Passion Dance), but here the muse takes him to the mystical world of studio-bred trip-hop. Working with multi-instrumentalists and producers Will Calhoun and Doug Wimbush, Alpert surrounds his muted trumpet with hypnotic vibes and ambiences -- some of which seem to drift into the sonic atmospheres, others bred from thick machine generated exotic percussion textures percolating over throbbing urban bass grooves. While ethereal experimentation with tons of cool studio equipment and sonic possibilities seems to be the general philosophy, he hasn't forgotten his Latin roots. The opening track, "Libertango," features a lighthearted horn melody drifting over a throbbing urban bass groove, percussion clicks, and the galloping flamenco flavors of Wimbish's acoustic guitar, all wrapped up in a dramatic synth orchestral sweep. "Dorita" centers Bernard Fowler's Spanish vocals amidst a wacky swirl of pitter patter and marching percussion, spacey sound effects, exotic soundscaping, moody retro keyboards, and Alpert's catchy, laid-back melody. Bridging past and present, Alpert approaches Burt Bachrach's "The Look of Love" as if it were a Miles Davis/Brian Eno collaboration, his smoky horn enhanced by his wife Lani Hall's breathy vocals. He also covers himself with a new hip-hop shuffle arrangement of his popular early-'80s gem, "Magic Man." Older and wiser than either Rick Braun or Chris Botti, Alpert gives the genre's two top horn guns a powerful run for their smooth jazz money. (Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide)

Whipped Cream & Other Delights: Rewhipped
Shout Factory DK 97641

Released March 7, 2006

Track listing:

1. Whipped Cream
2. A Taste of Honey
3. Green Peppers
4. Ladyfingers
5. Love Potion #9
6. Peanuts
7. Tangerine
8. El Garbanzo
9. Lemon Tree
10. Lollipops and Roses
11. Bittersweet Samba
12. Butterball

Musicians: Herb Alpert (trumpets); various studio musicians, uncredited on original album.

Legendary trumpeter, arranger, recording artist and music-industry trailblazer Herb Alpert has connected with a stellar crew of visionary remixers on Rewhipped, due March 7th on Shout! Factory. The 12-song collection serves up groovalicious takes on every track from Whipped Cream & Other Delights, the landmark, 4X GRAMMY®-winning 1965 LP by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass that spent eight weeks at #1 when it was originally released.

Not content to merely hand off his originals for contemporary reinvention, however, Alpert has recorded tasty new trumpet solos for every track, personally revisiting each one with the passionate, signature sound for which he is renowned. The release of Rewhipped corresponds with Herb Alpert’s March 13 induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, when he’ll receive a Lifetime Achievement Award along with his fellow A&M Records co-founder, Jerry Moss.

The list of artists adding 21st-century flavor to these classic recordings includes John King of famed production team the Dust Brothers (“A Taste of Honey”), L.A.’s fiercely eclectic collective Ozomatli (“Whipped Cream,” “Love Potion #9”), jazz-funk masters Medeski Martin & Wood (“El Garbanzo”), avatars of electronica Thievery Corporation (“Lemon Tree”), sample-juggling genius Mocean Worker (“Bittersweet Samba”), fêted film composers Anthony Marinelli (“Whipped Cream,” “Love Potion #9,” “Green Peppers,” “Butterball,” “Peanuts,” “Lollipops and Roses”) and Camara Kambon (“Ladyfingers”), and Teutonic turntablist DJ Foosh (“Tangerine”).

Whipped Cream’s sexy blend of jazz, pop, salsa, bossa nova and Dixieland set a new standard for stylish instrumental music and the all-time classic album continues to influence artists 40 years post-release. Rewhipped not only underscores Alpert’s impact on the development of electronic music and remixing--his inventive use of overdubbed trumpet parts has been widely copied--it also stretches the original’s global sensibilities, adding slinky breakbeats and unexpected arrangements, among other sonic innovations. Producer Marinelli and GRAMMY winners Ozomatli took the remix idea to the extreme by providing a spicy vocal track to the previously instrumental “Love Potion #9.”

Boasting contributions from drummer Hal Blaine and pianist Leon Russell and loosely based on a theme of delectable edibles, Whipped Cream & Other Delights (reissued by Shout! Factory in 2005 as part of the Herb Alpert Signature Series) spent eight weeks at #1 and more than a year in the Top 10, eventually logging nearly three years in the Top 40. “A Taste of Honey” was a Top 10 single and snagged “Record Of The Year,” one of the album’s four GRAMMY Awards. For his part, Alpert has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Whipped Cream’s provocative cover, meanwhile – depicting a voluptuous model named Dolores Erickson wearing nothing but whipped cream – became an essential tableau of the era. The artwork for Rewhipped salutes this trailblazing iconography with a beguiling shot of cream-clad Guess girl Bree Condon.

In 1965, Whipped Cream & Other Delights was as cool as it got. Four decades later, Rewhipped cruises the cultural cutting edge courtesy of today’s hippest remixers. Take it for a spin and get swanky. (Shout Factory press release, 2006)

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