Airto Moreira – Seeds on the Ground
Leon Thomas might not be a household name in jazz, but you’ve likely heard his voice if you’re a fan of Pharoah Sanders. Thomas was the vocalist and percussionist on Pharoah’s 1969 spiritual classic Karma and his signature yodel can be heard prominently on “The Creator Has A Master Plan.” Blues and the Soulful Truth is Thomas’ 1972 vocal masterpiece on Bob Thiele’s Flying Dutchman label. The depth and dimension of Thomas’ vocal ability is on full display here as he delivers soulful melodies, yodels, imitates instruments, and maneuvers through jazz and blues numbers including the now-classic “Shape Your Mind to Die” which features an incredible eastern-influenced arrangement from Alfred “Pee Wee” Ellis.
– Phil Cho
Recommended – A3 Gypsy Queen, B1 Shape Your Mind To Die, B3 China Doll
Tags: Blues / Rare Groove / Soul-jazz / Vocal
Tracklist:
A1 Let’s Go Down To Lucy’s
A2 L-o-v-e
A3 Gypsy Queen
A4 Love Each Other
B1 Shape Your Mind To Die
B2 Boom-Boom-Boom
B3 China Doll
B4 C.C. Rider
Credits:
Artwork [Cover Drawing] – Hideo Yamashita
Bass – Donald Pate* (tracks: B2, B4), Gordon Edwards (tracks: A1, A2, A4)
Composed By, Arranged By – Alfred (Pee Wee) Ellis*
Design – Haig Adishian
Drums – Bernard Purdie (tracks: A1, A2, A4, B2 to B4)
Electric Guitar – Cornell Dupree (tracks: A1, A2, A4), Larry Coryell (tracks: B2, B4)
Mixed By [Sound Mixer] – Bob Simpson, Tony May
Other [Firecrackers by] – Leon Thomas (tracks: A3), Lillian Seyfert (tracks: A3), Pee Wee Ellis (tracks: A3), Tony May (tracks: A3)
Percussion, Congas – Baba Feme (tracks: B1, B 3)
Photography By [Back Cover Photo] – Giuseppe Pino
Photography By [Liner Photos] – Giuseppe Pino, Ray Ross*
Piano, Electric Piano – Neal Creque
Piano, Tenor Saxophone – Pee Wee Ellis
Producer – Bob Thiele
Producer [Assistant] – Lillian Seyfert
Trombone – John Eckert (tracks: A1, A4)
Vocals – Albertine Robinson (tracks: B3), Carl Hall (tracks: A2), Lani Groves (tracks: A2), Tasha Thomas (tracks: A2)
Vocals, Percussion – Leon Thomas
