Hubert Laws: In The Beginning

John Sharpe

Contributor

Recent articles (115 total)

Published: December 1, 1997

In The Beginning is just one of ten titles Sony has recently released from its famous CTI catalog. Founded in the 70's by producer Creed Taylor, CTI was known for its distinctive cover art, glossy production values and albums that usually contained hefty doses of commercially palatable pop/jazz material. Artists such as George Benson , Freddie Hubbard, Jim Hall and Stanley Turrentine all enjoyed tremendous success with this formula. Originally issued on a double LP, this CD by flautist Hubert Laws is a typically diverse blend of funk, classical and jazz. The supporting cast of bassist Ron Carter, drummer Steve Gadd and pianist Bob James follow Laws as he works through a repertoire that ranges from Satie's classical "Gymnopedie #1" all the way to Coltrane's jazz standard "Moment's Notice". Not as slick and over-produced as some of the labels later offerings, In The Beginning represents a high point in Laws career and stands as an example of 70's fusion that sounds fresh in the 90's.

Record Label: CTI Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream