Upchurch/Tennyson

Chicago soul guitarist Phil Upchurch recorded a single album for the Kudu label in collaboration with jazz pianist Tennyson Stephens, resulting in this highly listenable collection of silky, seductive soul, luxuriant lustrous funk and futuristic fusion instrumentals. Legendary musician, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and arranger Bob James took care of the arrangements and also played ARP synth, adding some sci-fi synthesised sounds to proceedings, which, along with copious Fender Rhodes, clavinet and a lush Van Gelder production gives it a classic mid seventies radio sound, smooth and sumptuous, lavish and involving, and a clear progression from earlier, more traditional sounding Kudu outings. A little overlooked perhaps, it’s a great example of mid-’70s high-end jazzy soul and fusion.