Pump It Up is a Jazz album by Les McCann, originally released in 2002. On Gatefold: 7 pressings tracked.
About
Even after a stroke compromised Les McCann’s ability to play piano — his first love — his determination and gloriously gritty attitude shines through on <i>Pump It Up</i>. Even though he is a jazzman by training, McCann has always been a funk player at heart. His feel for nasty, gutbucket funk is both ancient and strikingly modern. Without his keyboard to lead him, McCann looks to the burly, low-end playing of bassist Marcus Miller, whose instrument is upfront on “Pump It Up,” “Let It Ride (The Train),” and “Tryin’ to Make It Real,” the last of a which lifts a phrase from McCann’s most famous song (“Compared To What”) and works as a summarization of the musician’s ethos. The guest list is a reflection of McCann’s diverse sphere of influence. James Brown’s horn man Maceo Parker shows up to blow on “Funk It (Let the Music Play),” while Dianne Reeves duets with McCann on Bill Withers’ beautiful ballad “You Just Can’t Smile It Away.” The starring turn belongs to Bonnie Raitt, who is at her very best on “The Truth,” a revival of a 1964 McCann original. It’s the best gospel recording of the year, burnished by homemade ambiance.
via Apple Music
The Clerk says
The Clerk knows this whole record — the pressing quirks, the credits, the take.
Tracklist
- 1Pump It Up4:51
- 2Buckshot and Lefonque5:16
- 3Let It Ride (The Train)4:45
- 4I Can't Stand It6:39
- 5So What5:51
- 6You Just Can't Smile It Away4:57
- 7Tryin' to Make It Real6:20
- 8The Truth6:10
- 9Daylight5:23
- 10Funk It (Let the Music Play)5:07
- 11I Can't Stand It - Reprise0:56
Sound DNA
- Jazz
Notes from the original pressing. Later editions may differ.
Direct Metal Mastering. Track duration B4 on cover rear and label B 5:06 (like on CD versions), but in fact and on cover innertext 4:37. B5 listed on cover rear, but not on LP.
Credits
The people behind it.
Performers
- Abraham LaborielBASS
- Bill ChurchvilleTRUMPET
- Billy PrestonORGAN ORGAN , PIANO PIANO
- Dean BrownGUITAR LEAD GUITAR, RHYTHM GUITAR, WRITTEN-BY RHYTHM GUITAR , WRITTEN-BY
- Jim GilstrapBACKING VOCALS
- John RobinsonDRUMS DRUM, BASS PROGRAMMED BY
- Keith AndersonSAXOPHONE ALTO SAXOPHONE TENOR SAXOPHONE, ALTO SAXOPHONE
- Les McCannLEAD VOCALS LEAD VOCALS, LYRICS BY LYRICS BY, LEAD VOCALS
- Marcus MillerBASS
- Margaret FowlerBACKING VOCALS BACKING VOCALS, LYRICS BY LYRICS BY, BACKING VOCALS
- Maxayn LewisBACKING VOCALS
- Paul Jackson Jr.GUITAR RHYTHM GUITAR
- Paulinho Da CostaPERCUSSION, CONGAS PERCUSSION
- Ricky PetersonORGAN ARRANGED BY, INSTRUMENTS ORGAN , PIANO
- Tom SavianoSAXOPHONE ALTO SAXOPHONE
- Adam KirkGUITAR
- Alan AbrahamsBACKING VOCALS DRUM PROGRAMMING
- Bill EvansSAXOPHONE SAXOPHONE, SOLOIST SAXOPHONE, WRITTEN-BY
7 pressings tracked on Gatefold
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