Routes

Routes / Ramsey Lewis (1980)
                                                      feat. Earth,Wind & Fire


This is one of historical album that Ramsey Lewis and EWF got together .
From the bigginning, electro piano of Ramsey Lewis lightly pursue scats of Maurice White and John Lind in "Whisper Zone" .
And It easily takes us to the world of them.

Larry Dunn took part in writting in 5 songs.
Among them "Colors In Space"was really like the one of EWF.
I was excited!

Precious sound source in which Earth,Wind & Fire members of those days have participated !
Fan of EWF have to have it!

personals


Ramsey Lewis / Steiway Concer Piano & Fender Rhodes
Larry Dunn / Synthesizer, Piano, Fender Rhodes & Synthesizer Programming
Al McKay / Guitar
Byron Miller / Bass
Ndugh Chancler/ Drums
Kenny Burke/ Bass
Roland  Bautista/ Guitar
Paulinho Da Costa, Philip Bailey, Fred White/ Percussion
Don Myrick / Saxphone
Louis Satterfield / Saxphone
Rahmlee / Flugihom
Michale Davis / Trumpet
James Godson /Drums
Maurice White & <strong>John Lind</strong>/ Vocal
<strong>Warren Weiberg</strong>/ Vocals



1. Whisper Zone
(J Lind, L Dunn, A Mckay)

2. High Point
(L Dunn, A Mckay D Mckay,)

3. Tondelayo
(L Dunn, L White)

4. Caribbean Blue
(L Dunn)

5. Looking Glass
(R Lewis)

6. Come Back Jack
(T Poref)

7. Colors In Space
(M White, L Dunn)

8. Crystals 'n Sequence
(A R Toussaint)

9. You Are The Reason
(J L Mack)

10. Hell On Wheels
(A R Toussaint)

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The Two Of Us

The Two Of Us / Ramsey Lewis & Nancy Wilson (1984)
                                                           feat.Robert Brookins




なんて気持ちがいいかしら？
何もかも幸せに包まれて、とっても幸せ！

I was surprised to hear that Japanese dialogue.
It means " Is it very pleasant?
Everything is wrapped in happiness."

Japanese intonation gave the song an unique accent!

Although the release was done with the 2 big stars names,
The songs Nancy Wilson sung were only 4 pieces.

Was it necessary for a joint signature ?
I supposed to this reason was for the impact to push selling.

My favorite Robert Brookins  has participated in this album.
At that time ,he was not the member of Earth,Wind & Fire.

I surprised to know that he already was near the band at these time.


Robert co-wrote "”Breaker Beat”
And played synthesizer in 3songs, ①，③、⑥.


So attractive album with sufficient balance of emotional vocal and funky instrumental .

So Cool!

1. Ram
(Ramsey Lewis, Stanley Clarke)

2. Midnight Rendezvous
(David Roberts)

3. Breaker Beat
(Ramsey Lewis, Stanley Clarke, Robert Brookns)

4. Slippin' Away
(David Paich, Leon Ware, David Foster)

5. The Two Of Us
(Vassal Benford, Jeremy Lubbock)

6. Quiet Storm
(Ramsey Lewis, Stanley Clarke)

7. Never Wanna Say Goodnight
(Roger Bruno, Franne Golde, Ellen Schwartz)

8. Closer Than Close
(Patrick \henderson, Vassal Benford)

9. Song With Words (Remembering)





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Another Voyage

Another Voyage  / Ramsey Lewis Torio　（1969）



Excellent album of Ramsey Lewis Torio reissued in 2004.
Maurice White was in  at that time.

We can listen to Maurice's voice and kalimba in 8th number,
"Uhuru" !Umm, it really sounds like EWF ..

 Charles Stepney also participated by song whiting!
Be absorbed through the whole, jazz funk!

①　If You've Got It,Flaunt It (Part 1) (Eaton, Lewis, White)

② Wanderin' Rose (Creque)

③ How Beautiful Is Spring (Harris)

④ Do What You Wanna ( Lewis)

⑤ My Cherie Amour (Cosby ,Moy, Wonder)

⑥ Bold and Black (Harris)

⑦ Opus#5 (Stepney)

⑧ Uhuru（White）

⑨ Cecile（Eaton）

⑩ If You've Got It,Flaunt It (Part 2) (Eaton, Lewis, White)



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The Piano Player

The Piano Player / Ramsey Lewis (1969)



An album in 1969 of Ramsey Lewis which Charles Stepney participated completely.
This excellent record was CD-ized.

A drummer was Maurice White!.
After this album, Maurice Jenings joined as a drummer instead of Maurice White,
This album was the last one that featuterd Maurice White as a member.

Music by Charles Stepney work is included much, and a delicate piano of Ramsey tuneful handed down to our hearts.
We can be healed and also flooded with luxurious feeling.


1 The Distant Dreamer
2 A Rainy Day In Centerville
3 Everybody's Talkin'
4 Didn't We
5 Whenever , Whenever
6 Close Your Eyes And Remember
7 You've Made Me So Very Happy
8 The Love I Feel For You
9 Time And Space
10 Golden Slumber
11 Do I Love Her

Personals
Ramsey Lewis/ piano
Cleveland J Eaton/ bass
Maurice White/ drums,



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Tequila Mockingbird

Tequila Mockingbird　/Ramsey Lewis　（1977）


The album full of groove sense of the 47th of Ramsey Lewis　that members of Earth,Wind&Fire participated.

Expression of the sound of the keyboard his finger plays.
I always think. That the voice of musical instrumen changes by an artist,
3 songs of this this album (Tequila Mockingbird, Skippin' and That Ole Bach Magic), were produced by Larry Dunn !

Member of EWF cooperated.
But it's slightly unexpected that Maurice White awsn't in this....

"Tequila Mockingbird"as an album title song is so funky that you suppose it's like as a performance by a EWF member really!
You linger in ears surely, and how many times may they feel like hearing repeatedly?

" Skippin'" It makes us make move lightly!
"Morning "of David Foster bearing a close resemblance that is so the familiar you feel like skipping.

" That Ole Bach Magic "is also a short song, but it's the tune creating a nice unique groove sense.
The keyboard sounds of Ramsey Lewis are also attractive even the menbers of EWF don't participate of course !
Eddie del Barrio also participated in this album.


I think it's better to listen if you are the EWF fan!


Ramsey Lewis (p,key)

Larry Dunn (key)

Ronnie Laws (ss)

Al McKay (g)

Verdin White (b)

Philip Bailey (per)

1. Tequila Mockingbird
2. Wandering Rose
3. Skippin'
4. My Angel's Smile
5. Camino El Bueno
6. Caring For You
7. Intimacy
8. That Ole Bach Magic


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Fantasy

Fantasy / Ramsey Lewis (1985)



Really Pop album of Ramsey Lewis.

I have not listened so many albums in many his works, but I think this album has a taste in different way from other Ramsey's album I had.
The splendid contest with the composition of voice and a keyboard !

It's a work in 1985, but even if it's listened now, I get an impression like new sound.

It's possible to hear a lead vocal of Maurice White in this album.
There are a lot of songs which take charge of a lead vocal by an album of other artists in case of Philip Bailey, but the lead vocal of Maurice White is valuable.
Though there is a lot of participation by a chorus.
I'm happy that his carefree voice can be enjoyed much to here.


The song is "Part Of Me".
Delight of fun love is a being transmitted to this love song.
Duet with Brenda Mitchell.

It isn't a song by a work of Maurice, but it's the song like Maurice really.
He also participated with horn and as producers.

1. This Ain't No Fantasy
2. Ram Jam
3. It's Gonna Change
4. Clefs of Mon Coeur
5. Victom of a Broken Heart
6. Slow Dancin'
7. Never Give Up
8. Part of Me
9. Quest


　　


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Sun Goddess

Sun Goddess /Ramsey Lewis (1974)



Masterpiece of Ramsey Lewis.
Ｔwo tunes of seven were produced by Maurice White!

And the member of EWF was participating in these tunes
Maurice participated in Ramsey Lewis Trio as a drummer before, and he
offered the teacher a wonderful groove to this album.

SUN GODESS was collected to their first lived album "Gratitude"
And this piece of music is sometimes performed in live of EWF.

The scat of Maurice, Philip, and Verdine is really light and is comfortable like EWF.
It is really good music pieces with soulful groove and billiant melodies!

1. Sun Goddess
2. Living For The City
3. Love Song
4. Jungle Strut
5. Hot Dawgit
6. Tambura
7. Gemini Rising

SUN GODESS
Written by Maurice White, J Lind
Maurice　White　Timbales,Drums,Vocal
Philip Bailey Conga, Vocals
Verdine White Bass, Vocal
Johnny Graham Guitar
Don Meyrick Tenor Sax
Charles Stepney Fender Rhodes Electoric Guitar And ARP Ensemble


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