King Curtis – Sweet Soul (ATCO Records SD 33-247)

King Curtis – Sweet Soul (ATCO SD 33-247) Review & Vinyl

ATCO Records ‎1967 – SD 33-247

notes:

Few saxophonists bridged the worlds of rhythm & blues, soul, jazz,
 and pop as successfully as King Curtis. Throughout the 1960s, 
Curtis became one of America's most sought-after session musicians 
while maintaining an impressive solo career. His unmistakable 
tenor saxophone sound can be heard on countless recordings by 
artists including Aretha Franklin, The Coasters, 
The Drifters, Wilson Pickett, and many others.
Released in 1967 on ATCO Records, Sweet Soul (SD 33-247) captures 
King Curtis at the height of the soul-jazz era. Combining blues feeling
 with sophisticated arrangements, the album delivers heartfelt ballads,
 groove-driven instrumentals, and Curtis' instantly recognizable saxophone style.
Today, Sweet Soul remains one of the finest examples of late-1960s 
soul-jazz and a rewarding addition for collectors of vintage ATCO vinyl.

credits:

Sweet Soul was recorded during several sessions in early 1968, 
combining the celebrated Memphis rhythm section 
with horn and string overdubs completed in New York.

Studios

American Recording Studio, Memphis, Tennessee
Atlantic Recording Studios, New York City

Recording Engineers

Tommy Cogbill (Memphis sessions)
Bruce Tergesen (New York overdubs)

Leader
King Curtis (Curtis Ousley) – tenor, alto & soprano saxophones
Rhythm Section (Memphis)
Bobby Emmons – organ
Spooner Oldham – piano, electric piano (on several sessions)
Reggie Young – guitar
Everett Barksdale – guitar (New York overdubs on some tracks)
Mike Leech – electric bass (Memphis session)
Jerry Jemmott – Fender bass (New York overdubs)
Gene Chrisman – drums
Horn Section
Joe Newman – trumpet
Benny Powell – trombone
Frank Wess – tenor saxophone
Haywood Henry – baritone saxophone
Vocals & Strings
The Sweet Inspirations – backing vocals
String section directed by Gene Orloff
Production
Arif Mardin – producer, arranger
Bruce Tergesen – recording engineer
Tommy Cogbill – recording engineer (Memphis)

Research from Atlantic session files indicates that the 
album was assembled from multiple recording dates during 
February–April 1968.

One documented session is:

February 1, 1968 – American Recording Studio, Memphis

King Curtis – tenor saxophone
Bobby Emmons – organ
Reggie Young – guitar
Mike Leech – bass
Gene Chrisman – drums
unidentified horns
female vocalists
Arif Mardin – arranger

Recorded:

"Spooky"

Subsequent New York overdub sessions added:

Joe Newman
Benny Powell
Frank Wess
Haywood Henry
Gene Orloff's string section
The Sweet Inspirations
Jerry Jemmott
Everett Barksdale
Spooner Oldham

tracklist:

A1        Theme From "Valley Of The Dolls"
Written-By – André Previn, Dory Previn
    2:40
A2        Soul Serenade
Written-By – Curtis Ousley, Luther Dixon
    2:53
A3        I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Written-By – Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield*
    3:16
A4        Sweet Inspiration
Bass [Fender Bass] – Reggie Young
Written-By – Lindon Dewey Oldham*, Wallace Pennington
    2:51
A5        By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Written-By – Jim Webb*
    2:38
B1        Spooky
Written-By – Buddy Buie, Harry Middlebrooks, J. R. Cobb*, Mike Sharpe
    2:46
B2        Honey
Written-By – Bobby Russell
    2:27
B3        Up - Up And Away
Written-By – Jim Webb*
    2:48
B4        The Look Of Love
Written-By – Burt Bacharach & Hal David*
    2:30
B5        (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay
Written-By – Otis Redding, Steve Cropper
    2:42

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