Dee Dee Bridgewater – Afro Blue

While not a household name, singer Dee Dee Bridgewater is a true great of ’70s soul-jazz, fusion, and disco. Along with her 1979 disco classic Bad for Me, Bridgewater is known for her guest vocal contributions for numerous legends including Roy Ayers, Stanley Clarke, Norman Connors, Cecil McBee and others. Bridgewater’s 1974 solo debut Afro Blue is also a sought-after rare groove masterpiece that was reissued by Mr. Bongo in 2020. Recorded and originally available exclusively in Japan, the album featured a collaboration of American and Japanese musicians, such as Cecil & Ron Bridgewater, Motohiko Hino and producer Takao Ishizuka. The title track opens with African percussion, castanets, and Bridgewater imitating bird sounds before dropping into an energetic and spiritual rendition of Mongo Santamaria’s classic “Afro Blue.” Another favorite, “Little B’s Poem,” is a soul-jazz take on Bobby Hutcherson’s beloved composition (Doug Carn also released a version of this tune on his Infant Eyes album for Black Jazz).

Recommended – Full Listen