CD Reissue of the Month - "French Toast"

CD Reissue of the Month
French Toast: "French Toast" (Electric Bird) 1984/2014

The debut album by the all-star studio group conceived by French Horn master Peter Gordon. This album -- recorded @ Skyline Studio in NY on April 7, 8 & 9, 1984 -- introduced Dave Weckl and Michel Camilo to the Japanese market, and reached the top of the Jazz charts. Includes tunes composed by Camilo (who would sign as a leader to that same Electric Bird a few months later), Rob Mounsey, Peter Gordon, Carlos Franzetti and the underrated alto sax player Jerry Dodgion, featured on that marvelous version of "The Girl From Ipanema" on Antonio Carlos Jobim's legendary "Tide" album (1970), released in 1970 by A&M/CTI. For "French Toast," Dodgion wrote "Butter," a tribute to trombonist Quentin 'Butter' Jackson. Steve Gadd, already a jazz star, guests on two tracks.

Arranged by Peter Gordon ("Joe Cool" and "Ion You"), Michel Camilo ("Calentando Man" and "Why Not/"), Carlos Franzetti ("B.A. Express") & Jerry Dodgion ("Butter".)
Produced by Shigeyuki Kawashima, the A&R man of King Records' in the 1980s, when he also signed David Matthews, Ronnie Cuber, Lew Soloff, Steve Gadd, Manhattan Jazz Quintet and Manhattan Jazz Orchestra to King's labels Electric Bird (dedicated to fusion) and Paddle Wheel (home of straight-ahead acoustic jazz projects). In the 90s, Mr. Kawashima moved to Sweet Basil Records.
24bit Remastering Engineers: Hiroyuki Tsuji & Yasuhiro Yanai.

Featuring: Peter Gordon (French horn), Lew Soloff (trumpet), Jerry Dodgion (alto sax), Michel Camilo (acoustic piano), Anthony Jackson (electric bass), Dave Weckl (drums), Sammy Figueroa (congas & percussion), Gordon Gottlieb (marimba, vibes & percussion). Special Guest: Steve Gadd.