Andy Bey - 1974 - Experience and Judgment

Andy Bey

1974

Experience and Judgment

01. Celestial Blues 3:20
02. Experience 2:58
03. Judgment 3:00
04. I Know This Love Can't Be Wrong 3:15
05. Hibiscus 4:58
06. You Should've Seen The Way 2:30
07. Tune Up 4:11
08. Rosemary Blue 3:29
09. Being Uptight 3:12
10. A Place Where Love Is 4:40
11. Trust Us To Find The Way 2:43
12. The Power Of My Mind 2:58

Drums – Buddy Williams (tracks: A1, A4 to B1, B4 to B6), Jimmy Young (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B3)
Electric Bass – Wilbur Bascomb
Electric Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Synthesizer, Percussion – Bill Fischer
Guitar – George Davis , Richard Resnicoff (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B3)
Piano [Acoustic] – Andy Bey (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B3)
Violin, Viola – Selwart Clarke (tracks: A1, A4 to B1, B4 to B6)
Vocals – Andy Bey

Andy Bey's only album from the 70's is probably his masterpiece in a career that wasn't very prolific along the years. He sang on Stanley Clarke's first incarnation (the lovely "Children of Forever") and on the best Gary Bartz couple of albums ("Taifa" and "Uhuru"), where his voice is on extraordinary shape. In fact, only a year have passed since those two albums were recorded and for several reasons "Experience and Judgement" is the magnificent sequel to that marvellous cosmic soul inside those albums. "Celestial Blues" is again here, in a more sober version but we truly miss the wonderful hand percussion on the Bartz album. Nevertheless is great too.

There's nothing more we could say about the idiosyncratic and fascinating voice of Andy Bey. His operatic baritone flavour is spine-chilling and the music is just uplifting, near the best cosmic soul ever recorded (Lonnie Liston Smith, Minnie Riperton, Billy Paul, Spacek). The album is full of cheerful jazz-funk rhythms, moogs travelling through light, tasty bass, synthesizers and other delicious things from the typical 70's production. Atlantic classic for sure!

Crate diggers have long dug this 1973 soul jazz classic on the Atlantic label…it’s far more than your usual jazz vocal record. Vocalist/pianist Andy Bey imbues every number here with a spiritual depth and soulful intensity, yet Experience and Judgment is a relaxing, uplifting listen reminiscent of Bill Withers or Roy Ayers. Some credit for this album’s unique vibe must also be given to producer William S. “Bill” Fischer (Eugene McDaniels, Herbie Mann), who composes a couple tunes here and lends his distinctive touch on keyboards. Whether your taste in jazz runs to free, funk, or even quiet storm, Experience and Judgment delivers. Reissued in Sea Blue vinyl to match the album cover and the mood.