Esther Marrow- Sister Woman (1972)

Good day all. Today's post is a nice little gem from 1972 on Fantasy, courtesy of Esther Marrow, née Queen Esther Marrow. There are some killer grooves, a couple of nasty breaks, and a great (shifting) band throughout, though the real focus is the angelic pipes of Ms. Marrow, who got her first big break singing in the first "Sacred Concert" that Ellington put on in 1966. For an excellent read check out her biography here, although it does curiously omit any mention of her excursions into worldly music, including another killer album on Flying Dutchman, Newport News, Virginia, from a couple of years earlier.

A nice mix of gospel, soul, and just a pinch of funk, the album features the song-writing and arranging talents of the formidable 70s Fantasy stable of artists, and throughout projects a nice balance of documentary-style slices of urban life and "love is the answer" positivity. Be sure to check out the Jimmy Johnson/Ralph McDonald break on "Things Ain't Right."

Sing it sister!


=========================================================

[Original Liner Notes]

Side 1
1. Woman In The Window 3:14
Arranged by Bobby Scott
Bernard Purdie-Drums
Bobby Scott-Piano
Cornell Dupree-Electric Guitar
Richard Tee-Organ
Chuck Rainey-Bass
Ralph McDonald-Percussion
Walter Raim, Sal Detroya-Guitars

2. Ghetto 4:20
Arranged by Richard Tee
Jimmy Johnson-Drums
Cornell Dupree-Guitar
Keith Loving-Rhythm Guitar
Gordon Edwards-Bass
Richard Tee-Piano
Paul Griffen-Organ
Ralph McDonald-Conga

3. Trade Winds 4:45
Arranged by Richard Tee
Idris Muhammad-Drums
Cornell Dupree-Guitar
Keith Loving-Rhythm Guitar
Gordon Edwards-Bass
Richard Tee-Piano
Ralph McDonald-Conga

4. Turn On To Jesus 6:09
Arranged by Richard Tee
Jimmy Johnson-Drums
Cornell Dupree-Guitar
Keith Loving-Rhythm Guitar
Richard Tee-Piano
Warren Smith-Percussion
Ralph McDonald-Conga
Gordon Edwards-Bass

Side 2
1. Rainy Night In Georgia 5:40
Arranged by Bernard Purdie
Bernard Purdie-Drums
Cornell Dupree-Guitar
Richard Tee-Organ
Chuck Rainey-Bass
Paul Griffen-Piano
Ralph McDonald-Percussion

2. Things Ain't Right 3:33
Arranged by Richard Tee
Jimmy Johnson-Drums
Cornell Dupree-Guitar
Keith Loving-Rhythm Guitar
Gordon Edwards-Bass
Richard Tee-Piano
Ralph McDonald-Conga

3. Ask Me To Dance 3:19
Arranged by Bobby Scott
Bernard Purdie-Drums
Bobby Scott-Piano
Cornell Dupree-Electric Guitar
Chuck Rainey-Bass
Ralph McDonald-Percussion
Specks Powell-Vibes

4. And When I Die 5:15
Arranged by Bernard Purdie
Jimmy Johnson-Drums
Chuck Rainey-Bass
Cornell Dupree-Guitar
Ralph McDonald-Conga
Warren Smith-Percussion
Richard Tee-Piano

The Horn Section:
Seldon Powell-Baritone Sax
Frank Wess-Tenor Sax
Jimmy Owens, Snooky Young-Trumpets
Tony Studd-Trombone
Buddy Lucas-Harmonica
Voices: The Reflections
Horns and voices arranged by William Eaton, except "Woman In The Window" arranged by Bobby Scott.
Produced by Jim Rein and Esther Marrow
Supervision: Ozzie Cadena
Engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Design: Tony Lane
Photos: Nima Yakubo