Leon Spencer – Where I’m Coming From – Prestige/ Craft Recordings #CR00525 – 180 gm vinyl – 1972, 1973 – ****
Leon Spencer, was an under-recorded Hammond B-3 organist, who held his own during the acid-jazz period of the 1970s, when the Hammond B-3 was king. For his fourth and final album for Prestige Records, the label gave him first class treatment. Recorded at the iconic Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in New Jersey, Prestige put him in the company of top artists, including Frank Wess, Seldon Powell, Virgil Jones, and Idris Muhammad. Guest artist, Hubert Laws, from CTI, was added on flute on the closing track. Frank Wess conducted most tracks, which were arranged by Ed Bogas.
Leon wrote two tracks, and two big hits of the day were covered ( Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” and Marvin Gaye’s mega-hit, “Trouble Man.”)
Spencer’s album has been given a fresh all-analog update as part of Craft Recording’s Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf Series. Spencer’s “greasy” organ skills are on full display throughout this exemplary acid-jazz release. Leon’s backing bands add a classy sophistication.
The opening two tracks give Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” and Curtis Mayfield’s “Give Me Your Love,” funky readings. Joe Beck’s guitar is featured on the former, while George Duvivier is in the pocket bass on the latter.
“Keeper of the Castle” has Leon in prime form, while the backing horns, especially the flute, makes “Trouble Man,” special. The two Spencer originals (“The Price a Po’ Man’s Got to Pay,” and the title track, “Where I’m Coming From”), show Spencer’s compositional skills. “The Price..” is done as a trio of guitar, organ, and drums (Grady Tate!), while the title track has an easy going groove, and the added bonus of Hubert Laws on flute, and the other horns mostly set a background groove.
Give Leon Spencer your ears and you’ll see why he more than held his own in an era of distinguished organists.
—Jeff Krow
Leon Spencer – Where I’m Coming From
Musicians:
Leon Spencer – Organ throughout
Side 1 & “Trouble Man”: Victor Paz, Jon Faddis -trumpets; Frank Wess – flute & baritone sax; Seldon Powell – flute tenor sax; Joe Beck – guitar; Ernest Hayes – electric piano; George Duvivier- bass; Grady Tate – drums
Side 2, Track 2: Joe Beck – guitar; Grady Tate – drums
Side 2, Track 3: Virgil Jones – trumpet; Hubert Laws – flute; Sonny Fortune – alto sax; Melvin Sparks – guitar; Idris Muhammad -drums; Buddy Caldwell – conga)
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Superstition
Give Me Your Love
Keeper of the Castle
Side 2:
Trouble Man
The Price a Po’ Man’s Got to Pay
Where I’m Coming From
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