Nina Simone, Baltimore, 1978 on CTI

The inimitable Nina Simone recorded in Brussels in January 1978 – her first and only record with CTI (Creed Taylor Inc). Apparently she and Creed Taylor did not find good creative collaboration and she disclaimed any choice of material or creative control.

“Baltimore” is the Randy Newman song from Little Criminals. Quincy Jones’ version of “Everything Must Change” was on Body Heat. The most surprising perhaps is “Rich Girl” – as in the Hall & Oates track from Bigger Than Both Of Us.

My copy is the Vinyl Me, Please reissue from 2024 on red marble vinyl, cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling and pressed at GZ Media.

David Porter, . . . Into A Real Thing, 1971 on Enterprise

Porter was the staff songwriter for Stax – this was his second full length LP issued under his name, following up Gritty, Groovy, & Gettin’ It. Enterprise was a sub-label of Stax, which also released the early Isaac Hayes solo albums. (Apparently label president Al Bell was a Star Trek fan).

Wonderful early 70s Stax/Volt style funk/soul. Love that the green hat from the gatefold is also on the bed post in the rear cover. Isaac Hayes gets arranger and producer credit on “I Don’t Want To Cry.”

My copy is a 2023 Vinyl Me, Please Classics reissue, made by Craft Recordings, with lacquers cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound and a listening notes booklet by Andrew Winistorfer.

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