David Axelrod Seriously Deep CD

Stripped-down funk and jazz instrumentals from noted Capitol Records producer.

A shadowy presence on the music scene since the mid-`60s, David Axelrod has garnered a reputation in specialist corners as a producer's producer. Most famous for his stint as Capitol Records' in-house producer and A&R man, he attracted a devoted following in soul, jazz, and (most recently) hip-hop circles, legions of whom became instantly drawn to his imaginative productions. Keeping busy for much of the 1970s recording such soul-jazz greats as Cannonball Adderley and Gene Ammons, Axelrod made occasional forays into solo projects and in 1975 released his sole album for Polydor, SERIOUSLY DEEP. Featuring a cast of seasoned session players such as Joe Sample, Ernie Watts, and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, the album reflects a change in style away from the sweeping string orchestrations of his `60s work, towards the striped-down jazz-funk and fusion stylings of the era.

While the stable of musicians involved here is impressive, the album is notable for not including Axelrod's production hand, instead outsourcing those duties to Jimmy Bowen and Cannonball Adderley. This fact takes nothing away from the sheer force of Axelrod's contributions as composer, arranger, and conductor. Weaving deep, funky breaks over slippery soloing, the album is a veritable panorama of instrumental timbres and cinematic textures. Leading off the set with the horn-driven funk of "Miles Away," a simple looping melodic figure develops thematically from instrument to instrument before Sample finally rips in with a searing Arp synth solo. Continuing in the grooving soul-jazz mode, "1,000 Rads" begins with sparse congas which finally flourish into a fully-formed tenor sax-driven number replete with string interludes and synth bass workouts. Remarkable is the fact that all this activity never for a minute approaches typical jazz-fusion pomp and excess, a reflection of Axelrod's inimitable conducting and arranging skills.

First time on CD for one of the rarest albums ever from funky maestro David Axelrod – the producer known for his work with The Electric Prunes on Reprise, and a string of late 60s classics on Capitol Records! This mid 70s set for Polydor has Axelrod working in a jazz funk mode – much more electric than before, with heavy keyboards from Crusader Joe Sample, thundering drums from Ndugu Chancler, reeds from Jerome Richardson and Ernie Watts, vibes from Gary Coleman, and a nice undercurrent of strings as well. There’s a subtle dose of fusion in the mix, but one that’s never too jamming – and Axelrod always maintains his trademark sense of space and timing – turning the simplest musical measure into the kind of groove that holds up well into the 21st Century. The album’s a favorite of sample hounds and crate diggers, and is incredibly hard to find on vinyl.

Composer: David Axelrod .

Personnel: David Axelrod (vocals); Billy Fender (guitar, guitars); John Morell, John Morrell (guitar); John Morrell (guitars); Nathan Gershman (cello); Jack Shulman, Jack Shulman (strings); Ernie Watts (flute, alto flute, oboe, tenor saxophone, wind); Gene Cipriano (flute, tenor saxophone, wind); Jay Migliori (flute, baritone saxophone, wind); Jerome Richardson (saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Allen DeRienzo, Allen DeRienzo, Snooky Young (trumpet); Richard Hyde, Jimmy Cleveland, Slyde Hyde (trombone); Joe Sample (Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, keyboards, ARP synthesizer); Gary Coleman (vibraphone, background vocals); Jim Hughhart (bass instrument); Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (drums); Mailto Correa, Mailto Correa (percussion); Ndugu, Ernie Watts.

Recording information: Independent Recorders, Studio City, CA (1975).

Arranger: David Axelrod .Mojo (Publisher) (p.120) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's an absorbing LP packed with layered, exploratory grooves fusing orchestral funk with electric jazz."
Record Collector (magazine) (p.82) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Very much of its time with its sleek blends of jazz, soul and funk, and at times pronounced cinematic edge..."