Michael Franks – The Art of Tea

Jazz legend Ramsey Lewis plays Fender Rhodes and Arp synthesizer on his 1974 jazz-funk hit Sun Goddess. The pianist is joined by his former drummer Maurice White, members of White’s band Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Miles Davis producer Teo Macero. The title track is really the one here, though the other tracks are excellent as well (don’t miss B1 “Jungle Strut” and B3 “Tambura”). Smooth, funky, and sensual, “Sun Goddess” shines with the bright vocals of EWF’s Philip Bailey, Lewis’ rippling Rhodes piano, Don Myrick’s strutting sax solo, and that unmistakable ARP synthesizer line. The track would later be sampled by numerous hip-hop artists including E-40, Mos Def, Pete Rock, and DJ Sneak.
Recommended – Full Listen
A1 Sun Goddess
A2 Living For The City
A3 Love Song
B1 Jungle Strut (Obirin Aiye MirelleKoso)
B2 Hot Dawgit
B3 Tambura
B4 Gemini Rising
Arranged By – Ramsey Lewis
Arranged By [Horn & String Arrangements] – Richard Evans (2)
Design [Cover] – John Berg
Engineer – Dave Antler, Lester Smith
Engineer [Recording & Remix] – Paul Serrano
Photography By [Back Cover] – David Gahr
Photography By [Cover] – Herb Breuer
Producer – Ramsey Lewis (tracks: A2 to B1, B3, B4), Teo Macero (tracks: A2 to B1, B3, B4)
Synthesizer [Arp, Arp Ensemble], Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer] – Ramsey Lewis