R.I.P.: Ralph MacDonald

(born on March 15, 1944, in Harlem, NY, USA;
died on May 18, 2011, in Stamford, Connecticut, USA)

My favorite non-Brazilian and non-latin percussionist, Ralph MacDonald, also a great pop and r&b composer & producer, passed away yesterday, of lung cancer. I grew up listening to his many studio sessions as a top-choice sideman on albums by artists of all styles. From Bill Evans (on his monumental collaboration with Claus Ogerman, "Symbiosis") to Carole King. From Harry Belafonte to Paul Simon, from Chet Baker to Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, and Roberta Flack.

Roberta, btw, was an essential figure in Ralph's career as a songwriter, having recorded his first big hit, "Where Is The Love?" in 1972. The following year, he contributed with two other great songs -- "No Tears in The End" and "When You Smile" -- to Flack's million-selling and #1 Billboard Pop album "Killing Me Softly," on which he also played percussion alongside such other great musicians as Idris Muhammad, Grady Tate and Ron Carter, all uncredited on the LP cover. Then came "Feel Like Makin' Love," which included two more gems co-written by MacDonald & Bill Salter: "I Wanted It Too" and "Mr. Magic," the latter becoming a big hit when also covered by Tony Bennett, Esther Phillips and especially Grover Washington, Jr.

The MacDonald-Washington, Jr. association was also extremely productive; from Grover's second album as a leader "All The King's Horses" (1972) to "Mister Magic" (1974) till the platinum turning point "Winelight" (1980), produced by Ralph MacDonald and including the huge hit single "Just the Two of Us" that he co-penned with Bill Withers and Bill Salter.

Around the time he started his collaboration with Grover, Ralph became a much in-demmand percussionist in the busy NYC studio scene of the early 70s, often hired by producers like Creed Taylor, Joel Dorn and Arif Mardin. Although he never recorded as a leader for Creed (something I never understood), he was featured in several albums released by the CTI and Kudu labels. Working as an unofficial in-house percussionist for the CTI family of labels between 1972 and 1976, Ralph appeared on sessions led by Paul Desmond, Gabor Szabo, Milt Jackson (the "Sunflower" masterpiece), Patti Austin, Eric Gale (I love his performance on "Cleopatra" from "Forecast"), Ron Carter (Ralph's playing on the track "R2, M1" from "Blues Farm" is outstanding too), Hubert Laws, Johnny Hammond, Esther Phillips, Hank Crawford, Idris Muhammad, Phil Upchurch, Don Sebesky ("Giant Box," the maestro's magnum-opus), Lalo Schifrin, Bob James (all the four solo albums that the celebrated arranger recorded for CTI) and Grover Washington, Jr. of course.

It's very interesting to note how Ralph MacDonald was able to adapt his conga style according to the drummer he was paired with, although always maintaining the same level of excellence. And, despite his great playing when Billy Cobham, Bernard Purdie, Idris Muhammad and Harvey Mason were on board, my favorite combination was the one of Ralph MacDonald with Steve Gadd. Their live performances always included a conga-drums solo, as can be watched on such DVDs as Grover Washington, Jr's "In Concert" (originally released as a LaserDisc in 1982, including the incredible MacDonald-Gadd duet on "Mister Magic") and "An Evening with Kimiko Itoh" (1994).

Between these 2 dates, I had the honor to attend many of Ralph's recording sessions as well as a Richard Tee concert at the Bottom Line, in NYC, back in 1990, featuring an all-star line-up consisting of MacDonald, Gadd, Will Lee, John Tropea, Tom Scott and Ronnie Cuber, filmed for broadcast on the NHK Japanese TV. I feel honored to have produced many CD reissues (from Ron Carter's "Anything Goes" to Esther Phillips' "For All We Know") and compilations ("CTI Acid Jazz Grooves," "Summer in the City: The Soul Jazz Grooves of Quincy Jones") that feature MacDonald's talents as a percussionist and/or composer.(Ralph MacDonald & Arnaldo DeSouteiro in New York, 1990)

As a producer, besides his organic collaboration with Grover and his albums as a leader, MacDonald directed sessions by Joe Farrell, Harold Vick and even Gilberto Gil in an album recorded for WEA's Elektra label in 1981 that was supposed to launch Gil as a pop star in the USA, after the disappointing sales of the Sergio Mendes-produced "Nightingale." Despite the big investment in this big-budget project that took six months to be completed in NYC, with an all-star cast, the album was never released and its existence remains a mistery even for great connoisseurs of Gilberto Gil's career.

But if I had the chose only a single moment from Ralph's entire career to take with me to Mars, my choice would be the title cut from Frank Sinatra's "LA Is My Lady" album with Quincy Jones. That intro, played by MacDonald alone, deserves to be sampled and repeated/looped over and over again. I could listen to it forever. Rest in Peace, Mr. Magic.Services In Memory of Ralph
Viewing: Wednesday December 21st, 2011, From 3-8pm at Granby's Funeral Home, Bronx, NY.
Service: Thursday December 22nd, 2011, 10:00 am at Abyssinian Baptist Church, New York, NY.
***************
From Ralph's official website www.ralphmacdonald.com

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph MacDonald on the morning of December 18, 2011. He will be greatly missed.

Grammy-award winning percussionist, songwriter and producer Ralph MacDonald was born in Harlem, NY in 1944. As the son of Trinidad-immigrant and Calypso performer "Macbeth The Great," Ralph grew up amidst the rise of Calypsonian revolution in New York City. The young boy was often placed playfully on his father's drums for a moment or two and, when he got older, MacDonald dreamed of someday achieving the regional success of his father.

At 17, Ralph helped a friend carry his steel drums into an audition for legendary performer Harry Belafonte. The friend got the gig, and MacDonald became a regular at rehearsals. When one of the players in Belafonte's Steel Band was late for a rehearsal, Ralph brashly declared his ability to play, and wound up getting the job.

Thus began a 10 year stint with Belafonte that schooled MacDonald in the music business. It also introduced him to songwriter Bill Salter, and the two began writing together to fill time on the road.

At one point, young MacDonald had the nerve to tell Harry Belafonte that despite all the gold records on the wall, Belafonte didn't really know what Calypso was. Belafonte said "Fine kid - if you know so much because your father was a Calypso singer, then you write me a song."

MacDonald delivered an album of songs: 1966's critically-acclaimed 'Calypso Carnival.'

At 27, MacDonald, William "Bill" Salter and William Eaton started their own publishing company, Antisia Music. Everyone told him he was crazy, but Ralph was determined to do it on his own. The partners opened a modest office in New York City and kept the door locked. When asked why, MacDonald explained that it was a publishing company, and that songs were meant to go out the door, not in. He gave himself two years to get the company going.

One year and eleven months later and wondering if Antisia Music would survive, Ralph happened to begin working with Roberta Flack. He and Salter had written a song called "Where Is The Love," and in a studio session, he pitched it to Roberta. She recorded it, and it went on to sell 10 million copies, earning Roberta and Donnie Hathaway Grammys and firmly establishing Antisia Music.

From there the success kept on coming. Ralph began recording with legends like James Taylor, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Diana Ross and Paul Simon. He and his partners wrote the Grover Washington Jr. hit "Mr. Magic" and Antisia Music placed a song called "Calypso Breakdown" on the BeeGees 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack. That album went on to sell 47 million copies and earned MacDonald two Grammys of his own, as a performer and a producer. Riding high on the disco craze, Ralph released two albums of his own, gaining commercial success and international recognition.

In 1980, Ralph wrote and produced Grover Washington Jr.'s classic album "Winelight." Among the MacDonald compositions were hits like "In The Name Of Love," and a song destined to become an American standard: "Just The Two Of Us." That song alone has been recorded by hundreds of artists worldwide, including Will Smith's 1999 adaptation of the song.

MacDonald still spends his time writing and recording for Antisia Publishing when he's not out on the road touring with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. He also continues to release new albums of smooth, percussive jazz and pop. Now firmly established as a successful songwriter, a legendary percussion player, and an international star, it would seem that the kid from Harlem who dreamed of nothing more than achieving what his father had has succeeded in a big way.

Selected discography as a leader:
Mixty Motions (2008)
Home Grown (2003)
Trippin' (2000)
Port Pleasure (1998)
Just The Two Of Us (1996)
Reunion (1995)
Counterpoint (1978)
The Path (1977)
Sound Of A Drum (1976)

Selected discography as a sideman:
Peter Allen Tenterfield Saddler (1972)
Peter Allen Continental American (1974)
Luther Allison Night Life (1975)
Luther Allison Motown Years 1972-1976 (1996)
Duane Allman Anthology, Vol. 2 (1974)
Ashford & Simpson So So Satisfied (1977)
Ashford & Simpson Send It (1977)
Ashford & Simpson Is It Still Good to Ya (1978)
Ashford & Simpson Solid (1984)
Ashford & Simpson Gospel According to Ashford &... (1996)
Ashford & Simpson Very Best of Ashford & Simpson (2002)
Patti Austin Havana Candy (1977)
Patti Austin Every Home Should Have One (1981)
Patti Austin Gettin' Away with Murder (1985)
Patti Austin Best of Patti Austin [Columbia] (1994)
Patti Austin Very Best of Patti Austin (2001)
The Average White Band AWB (1974)
Burt Bacharach Futures (1977)
Chet Baker You Can't Go Home Again (1977)
The Bar-Kays Money Talks (1978)
Gato Barbieri Caliente! (1976)
Gato Barbieri Fire and Passion (1988)
Gato Barbieri Gato Barbieri's Finest Hour (2000)
The Bee Gees Living Eyes (1981)
Harry Belafonte Evening with Belafonte/Mouskouri (1966)
Maggie Bell Queen of the Night (1974)
George Benson Breezin' (1976)
George Benson In Flight (1976)
George Benson George Benson Collection (1976)
George Benson Best of George Benson (1976)
George Benson Weekend in L A (1977)
George Benson Livin' Inside Your Love (1977)
George Benson In Your Eyes (1978)
George Benson 20/20 (1984)
George Benson Big Boss Band (1990)
George Benson That's Right (1996)
George Benson George Benson Anthology (2000)
Black Heat Declassfied Grooves (2001)
Angela Bofill Angie (1978)
Angela Bofill Angel of the Night (1979)
Luiz Bonfa Manhattan Strut (1974)
David Bowie Young Americans (1975)
David Bowie Changesbowie (1990)
David Bowie Changes [Rykodisc] (1990)
David Bowie Young Americans (1991)
David Bowie Changes [EMI] (1999)
Brecker Bros. Brecker Bros. (1975)
Brecker Bros. Brecker Bros. Collection, Vol. 1 (1975)
The Brecker Brothers Band Back to Back (1975)
Brecker Bros. Brecker Bros. Collection, Vol. 2 (1975)
Brecker Bros. Don't Stop the Music (1977)
The Brecker Brothers Detente (1980)
Brethren Moment of Truth (1971)
Brigati Lost in the Wilderness
Martin Briley Dangerous Moments (1985)
The Brothers Johnson Look Out for #1 (1976)
The Brothers Johnson Right on Time (1977)
James Brown Hell (1974)
Oscar Brown Movin' On (1972)
Jimmy Buffett Floridays (1986)
Jimmy Buffett Hot Water (1988)
Jimmy Buffett Off to See the Lizard (1989)
Jimmy Buffett Feeding Frenzy (1990)
Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads (1992)
Jimmy Buffett Barometer Soup (1995)
Jimmy Buffett Banana Wind (1996)
Jimmy Buffett Christmas Island (1996)
Jimmy Buffett Don't Stop the Carnival (1998)
Jimmy Buffett Beach House on the Moon (1999)
Jimmy Buffett Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, (1999)
Jimmy Buffett Far Side of the World (2002)
Kenny Burrell & Grover Washington,Jr. Togethering (1984)
Jonathan Butler Jonathan Butler (1987)
Jonathan Cain Band Windy City Breakdown (1977)
The Carpenters Lovelines (1985)
Ron Carter Blues Farm (1973)
Ron Carter Spanish Blue (1974)
Ron Carter Anything Goes (1975)
Ron Carter A Song for You (1978)
Ron Carter & Friends Standard Bearers (1978)
Ron Carter New York Slick (1979)
Ron Carter Pick 'Em/Super Strings (2001)
Club Trini Margaritaville Cafe: Late Night... (2000)
Judy Collins Judith (1975)
Lou Courtney I'm in Need of Love (1974)
Hank Crawford Heart and Soul (1958)
Hank Crawford Wildflower (1973)
Hank Crawford Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing (1975)
Hank Crawford I Hear a Symphony (1975)
Randy Crawford Everything Must Change (1980)
The Crusaders Way Back Home (1961)
The Crusaders Free as the Wind (1976)
The Crusaders Priceless Jazz (1998)
The Crusaders Crusaders' Finest Hour (2000)
Jackie DeShannon Best Of 1958-1980 (2000)
Paul Desmond Skylark (1973)
Dr. John In the Right Place (1973)
Dr. John Ultimate Dr. John (1987)
Dr. John Mos' Scocious: Anthology (1993)
Cornell Dupree Teasin' (1973)
East Bounce East Bounce (1995)
William Eaton Struggle Buggy
Yvonne Elliman I Dont Know How to Love Him (1972)
Yvonne Elliman Yvonne Elliman (1972)
Yvonne Elliman Best of Yvonne Elliman (1997)
Kevin Eubanks Face to Face (1986)
Bill Evans & Claus Ogerman Symbiosis (1974)
Georgie Fame Cool Cat Blues (1991)
Far Cry More Things Change
Joe Farrell La Cathedral Y El Toro (1978)
Maynard Ferguson Primal Scream (1976)
Maynard Ferguson Conquistador (1977)
Maynard Ferguson Carnival (1978)
Maynard Ferguson This Is Jazz, Vol. 16 (1996)
Maynard Ferguson New Vintage
Roberta Flack Quiet Fire (1971)
Roberta Flack Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (1972)
Roberta Flack Killing Me Softly (1973)
Roberta Flack Feel Like Makin' Love (1975)
Roberta Flack I'm the One (1982)
Roberta Flack Softly With These Songs (1993)
David Forman David Forman (1976)
Aretha Franklin Let Me in Your Life (1974)
Aretha Franklin With Everything I Feel in Me (1974)
Aretha Franklin Queen of Soul (1992)
Michael Franks Burchfield Nines (1978)
Michael Franks The Camera Never Lies (1987)
Michael Franks Best of Michael Franks (1998)
Michael Franks Indispensable (1998)
Glenn Frey Soul Searchin' (1988)
Glenn Frey Solo Collection (1995)
Glenn Frey 20th Century Masters - The... (2000)
GQ Disco Nights (1979)
Eric Gale Forecast (1973)
Eric Gale Ginseng Woman (1976)
Eric Gale Ginseng Woman/Multiplication (1976)
Eric Gale Multiplication (1978)
Eric Gale Part of You (1979)
Eric Gale Best of Eric Gale (1980)
Art Garfunkel Watermark (1977)
Gene & Francesca Gene & Francesca
Glassharp Synergy (1972)
Barry Goldberg Barry Goldberg (1972)
Grant Green Best of Grant Green, Vol. 2 (1971)
Grant Green Blue Breakbeats (1998)
Dave Grusin One of a Kind (1977)
Dave Grusin Priceless Jazz (1998)
Dave Grusin Very Best of Dave Grusin (2002)
Hall & Oates Abandoned Luncheonette (1973)
Hall & Oates Atlantic Collection (1996)
Tim Hardin Bird on a Wire (1971)
Tim Hardin Suite for Susan Moore & Damion... (2000)
Donny Hathaway Extension of a Man (1973)
Donny Hathaway Best of Donny Hathaway (1978)
Joe Henderson Milestone Years (1967)
Joe Henderson In Pursuit of Blackness (1970)
Joe Henderson Black Is the Color (1972)
Hidden Strength Hidden Strength (1976)
Lena Horne Nature's Baby (1971)
Lena Horne & Michel Legrand Lena and Michel (2002)
Larry Hosford A.K.A. Lorenzo (1975)
Bobbi Humphrey Best of Bobbi Humphrey (1977)
Bobbi Humphrey Good Life (1979)
Bobbi Humphrey Passion Flute (1994)
Bobbi Humphrey No Way
Arthur Hurley & Gottlieb Arthur Hurley & Gottlieb (1973)
Bobby Hutcherson Montara (1975)
Kimiko Itoh Sophisticated Lady (1997)
Kimiko Itoh Standards My Way (1997)
Milt Jackson Sunflower (1972)
Jaroslav Jakubovic Checkin' In (1978)
Bob James One (1974)
Bob James Two (1975)
Bob James Three (1976)
Bob James Heads (1977)
Bob James Four (1977)
Bob James Best of Bob James (1978)
Bob James Lucky Seven (1979)
Bob James H (1979)
Bob James Touchdown (1979)
Bob James & Earl Klugh One on One (1979)
Bob James Flashback Follow Bob James (1981)
Bob James Genie (1983)
Bob James Foxie (1983)
Bob James Restoration: The Best of Bob James (2001)
Bob James Essential Collection (2002)
Bob James Sign of the Times [Japanese Bonus Tracks] (2002)
Al Jarreau Glow (1976)
Scott Jarrett Without Rhyme or Reason (1980)
Garland Jeffreys Garland Jeffreys (1973)
Garland Jeffreys Matador & More... (1992)
Billy Joel Stranger (1977)
Billy Joel 52nd Street (1978)
Billy Joel Innocent Man (1983)
Billy Joel Greatest Hits, Vols. 1 & 2 (1985)
Billy Joel Complete Hits Collection 1974-1997 (1997)
Billy Joel Piano Man/52nd Street(2002)
General Johnson General Johnson (1979)
Quincy Jones I Heard That! (1969)
Quincy Jones Mellow Madness (1975)
Quincy Jones Sounds...And Stuff Like That!! (1978)
Quincy Jones Q: The Musical Biography of Quincy (2001)
Quincy Jones Ultimate Collection (2002)
Quincy Jones Summer in the City (2007)
The Joneses Keepin' up with the Jones (1974)
Margie Joseph Margie Joseph (1973)
Margie Joseph Margie (1975)
Robin Kenyatta Gypsy Man (1972)
Robin Kenyatta Terra Nova (1973)
Steve Khan Tightrope (1977)
Steve Khan Blue Man (1978)
Carole King Thoroughbred (1976)
Carole King Her Greatest Hits (1978)
Carole King Natural Woman: The Ode Collection (1994)
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Does Your House Have Lions (1961)
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Aces Back to Back (1968)
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Case of the 3-Sided Dream in Audio (1975)
Rahsaan Roland Kirk Vibration Continues
Earl Klugh Ballads (1976)
Earl Klugh Love Songs (1976)
Earl Klugh Living Inside Your Love (1977)
Earl Klugh Finger Painting (1977)
Earl Klugh Heart String (1979)
Earl Klugh Best of Earl Klugh, Vol. 1 (1991)
Earl Klugh Best of Earl Klugh, Vol. 2 (1992)
Gladys Knight & the Pips Best of Gladys Knight & the Pips... (2001)
Jerry Lacroix Second Coming (1974)
Neil Larsen Jungle Fever (1978)
Yusef Lateef Every Village Has a Song
Hubert Laws Best of Hubert Laws (1990)
Hubert Laws Morning Star (1972)
Hubert Laws Romeo & Juliet (1976)
Donal Leace Donal Leace (1972)
Julian Lennon Valotte (1984)
Kenny Loggins Celebrate Me Home (1977)
Mike Longo Like a Thief in the Night (1997)
Looking Glass Subway Serenade (1973)
Jon Lucien Mind's Eye (1974)
Jon Lucien Sweet Control (1999)
Taj Mahal Taj (1987)
Miriam Makeba & Harry Belafnte Evening with Belafonte & Makeba... (2002)
Junior Mance That Lovin' Feelin' (1973)
David Mancuso Presents Loft (1999)
Chuck Mangione Chuck Mangione's Finest Hour (2000)
Manhattan Transfer Coming Out (1976)
Manhattan Transfer Anthology: Down in Birdland (1992)
Herbie Mann Evolution of Mann: The Herbie Mann (1960)
Herbie Mann Herbie Mann Anthology (1960)
Herbie Mann Push Push (1971)
Herbie Mann Discotheque (1974)
Herbie Mann Waterbed (1975)
Herbie Mann Surprises (1976)
Herbie Mann Brazil: Once Again (1978)
Herbie Mann Waterbed/Surprises (2001)
Herbie Mann Turtle Bay/Discotheque (2001)
Herbie Mann Brazil: Once Again/Sunbelt (2001)
Herbie Mann Best of the Atlantic Years (2002)
Mark-Almond Other Peoples Rooms (1978)
Harvey Mason Funk in a Mason Jar (1977)
Harvey Mason Groovin' You (1979)
Harvey Mason Sho Nuff Groove (1999)
Les McCann Les McCann Anthology (1960)
Les McCann Invitation to Openness (1971)
Les McCann Layers (1972)
Don McLean Don McLean (1972)
Don McLean Playin' Favourites (1974)
Don McLean Homeless Brother (1974)
Bette Midler Divine Miss M (1972)
Bette Midler Bette Midler (1973)
Bette Midler Divine Collection (1993)
Bette Midler Experience the Divine [1993] (1993)
Bette Midler Experience the Divine [2000] (1997)
Marcus Miller Best of Marcus Miller (2000)
Jerry Moore Ballad of Birmingham (1967)
Melba Moore Peach Melba (1975)
Idris Muhammad Power of Soul (1974)
Idris Muhammad My Turn (1993)
The Neville Brothers Fiyo on the Bayou (1981)
The Neville Brothers Uptown Rulin': The Best Of (1999)
David "Fathead" Newman House of David (1952)
David "Fathead" Newman Lonely Avenue (1971)
David "Fathead" Newman Weapon/At Home and Abroad (1999)
Laura Nyro Christmas and the Beads of Sweat (1970)
Teddy Pendergrass TP (1980)
Esther Phillips Alone Again, Naturally (1972)
Esther Phillips Performance (1974)
Esther Phillips & Joe Beck What a Diff'rence a Day Makes (1975)
Esther Phillips Capricorn Princess (1976)
Esther Phillips & Joe Beck For All We Know (1976)
Flip Phillips Sound Investment (1987)
Pieces of a Dream Best of (1982)
Pieces of a Dream Pieces of a Dream (1990)
Pieces of a Dream We Are One
Noel Pointer Phantazia (1977)
Noel Pointer Hold On (1999)
John Prine Sweet Revenge (1973)
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie Soul Is...Pretty Purdie (1972)
Rainbow Crystal Green (1977)
Bonnie Raitt Streetlights (1974)
Bonnie Raitt Bonnie Raitt Collection (1990)
Elliott Randall Randalls New York (1977)
The Rascals Peaceful World (1971)
The Rascals Island of Real (1972)
The Rascals Anthology (1965-1972) (1992)
Lou Rawls It's Supposed to Be Fun (1990)
Lou Rawls Legendary Lou Rawls (1992)
Leon Redbone On the Track (1976)
Martha Reeves Martha Reeves (1974)
Max Roach Lift Every Voice and Sing (1971)
David Rudder Gilded Collection: 1986-1989 (1993)
David Sanborn Taking Off (1975)
David Sanborn Best of David Sanborn (1975)
David Sanborn Love Songs (1976)
David Sanborn Heart to Heart (1978)
David Sanborn Hideaway (1979)
David Sanborn Voyeur (1980)
David Sanborn Backstreet (1982)
David Sanborn Straight to the Heart (1984)
Steve Satten Whatcha Gonna Do for Me? (1975)
Lalo Schifrin Towering Toccata (1977)
Shirley Scott Something (1970)
Tom Scott New York Connection (1975)
Tom Scott Blow It Out (1976)
Tom Scott Intimate Strangers (1978)
Tom Scott Street Beat (1979)
Tom Scott Best of Tom Scott (1980)
Tom Scott Apple Juice (1981)
Tom Scott & the L.A. Express Smokin' Section (1999)
Seawind Seawind (1976)
Don Sebesky Giant Box (1973)
Doc Severinsen Brand New Thing (1977)
Janis Siegel Experiment in White (1982)
Carly Simon Hotcakes (1974)
Carly Simon Best of Carly Simon (1975)
Paul Simon Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)
Paul Simon Greatest Hits, Etc. (1977)
Paul Simon One Trick Pony (1980)
Paul Simon Graceland (1986)
Paul Simon Negotiations and Love Songs (1988)
Paul Simon 1964-1993 (1993)
Ray Simpson Tiger Love (1978)
Valerie Simpson Valerie Simpson (1972)
Frank Sinatra L.A. Is My Lady (1984)
Johnny Hammond Higher Ground (1974)
Phoebe Snow Phoebe Snow (1974)
Phoebe Snow Second Childhood (1976)
Phoebe Snow Never Letting Go (1977)
Phoebe Snow Against the Grain (1978)
Splinter Harder to Live (1975)
Starland Vocal Band Starland Vocal Band (1976)
Steely Dan Greatest Hits (1979)
Steely Dan Gaucho (1980)
Gabor Szabo Mizrab (1972)
Gabor Szabo Macho (1975)
Grady Tate Master Grady Tate (1977)
James Taylor Walking Man (1974)
James Taylor Greatest Hits (1976)
James Taylor Best of James Taylor (1990)
Kate Taylor Kate Taylor (1978)
Richard Tee Strokin' (1979)
Richard Tee Natural Ingredients (1980)
Richard Tee Real Time (1995)
The Domenic Troiano Band Burnin' at the Stake (1977)
John Tropea Short Trip to Space (1977)
John Tropea Simple Way to Say I Love You (1999)
Tufano & Giammarese Other Side (1977)
Michael Utley Club Trini (1996)
Thijs Van Leer Nice to Have Met You (1978)
Luther Vandross Forever, For Always, For Love (1982)
Grover Washington, Jr. All the King's Horses (1972)
Grover Washington, Jr. Soul Box (1973)
Grover Washington, Jr. Mister Magic (1974)
Grover Washington, Jr. Feels So Good (1975)
Grover Washington, Jr. Secret Place (1976)
Grover Washington, Jr. Skylarkin' (1979)
Grover Washington, Jr. Come Morning (1980)
Grover Washington, Jr. Winelight (1980)
Grover Washington, Jr. Anthology (1981)
Grover Washington, Jr. Best Is Yet to Come (1982)
Grover Washington, Jr. Inside Moves (1984)
Grover Washington, Jr. Best of Grover Washington, Jr. (1996)
Grover Washington, Jr. Ultimate Collection (1999)
Grover Washington, Jr. Incontournables (2000)
Grover Washington Jr. Love Songs (2001)
Sadao Watanabe How's Everything (1980)
Sadao Watanabe Rendezvous (1983)
Sadao Watanabe Fill Up the Night (1983)
Sadao Watanabe Selected (1989)
Patrick Williams 10th Avenue (1986)
Tony Williams Joy of Flying (1978)
Cris Williamson Cris Williamson (1971)
Bill Withers Menagerie (1977)
Bill Withers 'Bout Love (1979)
Bill Withers Greatest Hits (1981)
Bill Withers Watching You Watching Me (1985)
Bill Withers Lean on Me (1994)
Phil Woods The New Phil Woods Album (1975)
Young-Holt Unlimited Oh Girl (1972)
Original Soundrack Wiz (1978)
Original Soundtrack Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Original Soundtrack Body Rock
Various Artists Atlantic Jazz: 12 Volume Box Set (1947)
Various Artists Atlantic Jazz: Fusion (1969)
Various Artists CTI: Acid Jazz Grooves (1997)
Various Artists Montreux Summit, Vol. 1 (1977)
Various Artists Montreux Summit, Vol. 2 (1978)
Various Artists Let There Be Drums, Vol. 3 (197 )
Various Artists Guitar Fire!: GRP Gold Encore... (1983)
Various Artists Every Man Has a Woman (1984)
Various Artists Atlantic Blues: Guitar (1986)
Various Artists Atlantic Blues [Box] (1986)
Various Artists Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974... (1991)
Various Artists Rock of the 70's, Vol. 4 (1992)
Various Artists GRP 10th Anniversary Collection (1992)
Various Artists Margaritaville Cafe Late Night... (1993)
Various Artists Disco Party: The Best of the TK... (1993)
Various Artists Atlantic Jazz: Best of the '70s (1994)
Various Artists Move to Groove: The Best of 1970s... (1995)
Various Artists Sax for Lovers [Sony] (1996)
Various Artists New Groove: The Blue Note Remix... (1996)
Various Artists For Our Children Too (1996)
Various Artists Singing Singles (1996)
Various Artists Groovy, Vol. 1: A Collection of... (1996)
Various Artists It Takes Two [Columbia] (1996)
Various Artists Instrumental History of Jazz (1997)
Various Artists Groovy, Vol. 2: A Collection of... (1997)
Various Artists Jazz Fusion, Vol. 2 [Rhino] (1997)
Various Artists CTI Records: The Birth of Groove (1997)
Various Artists Art of Saxophone (1997)
Various Artists Art of Jazz Saxophone: Impressions (1997)
Various Artists Best of Smooth Jazz (1997)
Various Artists Best of Smooth Jazz, Vol. 2 (1998)
Various Artists Best of Smooth Jazz, Vol. 4 (1998)
Various Artists Pulp Fusion, Vol. 2: Return to the (1998)
Various Artists Birth of Cool Funk Vintage Jams... (1998)
Various Artists Blue Note Salutes Motown (1998)
Various Artists Pop Music: The Modern Era 1976... (1999)
Various Artists Heavy Flute: Funky Flute Grooves... (2000)
Various Artists Ken Burns Jazz: The Story of... (2000)
Various Artists Head Jazz (2001)
Various Artists Long Road to Freedom: An Anthology (2001)
Various Artists Songs From The Chillout Lounge (2002)
Various Artists Like, Omigod! The '80s Pop Culture (2002)