Ray Bryant In The Cut 1974

 

Ray Bryant – In The Cut  1974 Soul Jazz Album

Cadet Records 1974 CA 50052

notes:

Ray Bryant’s In The Cut stands as a soulful testament to the pianist’s

 unique blend of jazz, blues, and groove‑driven soul. Released in 1974 

on Cadet Records (catalog number CA‑50052), this record showcases 

Bryant’s deep feel for melody and rhythm across a set of tracks that 

balance mainstream accessibility with jazz credibility.

On In The Cut, Bryant reinterprets standards like Watermelon Man 

alongside originals and soulful jazz arrangements  crafting an album

 that’s as laid‑back and funky as its title suggests. The title track itself 

grooves with a relaxed swing, while selections like Cool Struttin’ and 

Land of Make Believe highlight the trio’s tight interplay 

and dynamic expressiveness.

Recorded for the legendary Cadet label, a subsidiary of Chess Records 

known for its quality jazz and soul releases in the 1960s and ’70s, In The Cut

 captures a period when Bryant was merging his blues roots with 

contemporary jazz sensibilities. It remains a favorite among collectors

 and fans of soulful jazz piano.

credits:

Arranged By [Strings & Horns]  Charles Stepney

Bass  Stanley Clarke (tracks: A3, B1 to B3)

Congas  Montego Joe

Drums  Jimmy Johnson (2)

Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Oboe  George Marge (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Guitar  John Tropea

Harp  Margaret Ross (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Piano, Electric Piano  Ray Bryant

Synthesizer [Moog]  Charles Stepney (tracks: A1 to A3, B1)

Trumpet  Joe Wilder (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Marvin Stamm (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Viola  Alfred Brown (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Emanuel Vardi (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), 

Julian Barber* (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Selart Clarke* (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), 

Theodore Israel (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Violin  Diana Halprin (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Emanuel Green (tracks: A1, A3 to B3),

 Harry Glickman (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), Max Polikoff* (tracks: A1, A3 to B3), 

Paul Gershman (tracks: A1, A3 to B3)

Recording Date Recorded Place

january 1974 1, 2-5, 6, 7 Sound Exchange Studios, New York City

Recording   Engineer Skip Juried;Don Hahn

Producer  Esmond Edwards

tracklist:

A1 I'll Be There

Bass – Richard Davis 

Written-By – B. Gordy, Jr.*, B. West*, H. Davis*, W. Hutch*

4:58

A2 Andalusan Nights

Acoustic Guitar – John Tropea

Bass – Ron Carter

Guitar, Soloist – Jimmy Ponder

Written-By – Esmond Edwards

5:08

A3 Stop, Look & Listen To Your Heart / You Are Everything

Written-By – Linda Creed, Thom Bell

6:40

A4 Cool Struttin'

Bass – Ron Carter

Written-By – Ray Bryant

4:47

B1 Land Of Make Believe

Written-By – Chuck Mangione

5:50

B2 In The Cut

Written-By – Ray Bryant

6:17

B3 Watermelon Man

Written-By – Herbie Hancock

5:25

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