Featured Label,
A Fresh Look at CTI Records
There are few labels in existence today that can bear a legacy as rich as CTI Records, perhaps best known for its status as the home of smooth jazz throughout the 1970s. Founded by Creed Taylor in 1967 as a subsidiary of A&M Records before soon becoming independent, the business was able to transform its particular brand of coolness into its own viable genre — thanks in no small part to the cunning blend of Don Sebesky’s luscious arrangements, striking album artwork photography from across the globe and a roster that contained a veritable who’s who of jazz royalty. Along with its sister label, Kudu, CTI would be responsible for producing the slickest jazz releases the era had to offer.
Here are some of our favourite selections!
The launch of the company known as Creed Taylor Incorporated began with this understated record from the octavising guitarist in 1967, featuring the astounding titular Beatles-cover plus the artist’s biggest Top 100 Hit, ‘Windy’. Following a string of successful releases at Riverside and then under Taylor’s own direction for Verve, A&M entrusted the prodigious impresario with signing the musician for what would be the first of three albums he would go on to record with the emerging label.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
In a taste of things to come, this recording marked a shift towards the electric fusion of soul and jazz for which the label came to be known. Spawning a funk standard in the form of the title track (which would go on to become Hubbard's signature tune for the duration of his career), the album is a milestone in the evolution of jazz, as it decreed past, present and future.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
A challenging burner from Farrell’s uncompromising quartet supported by Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette and Herbie Hancock. This record suggests the calibre of artists CTI was able to assemble for its output, and follows in the vein of the two former players’ concurrent work with Return to Forever. Low-key fusion at its best.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Swap Billy Cobham on percussive duties and throw one Freddie Hubbard into the mix for good measure and you have the lineup of this impressively spacious release. A calling-card of the CTI style was the label’s knack for featuring jazz-renditions of popular chart hits in a penchant that would often allow the label’s roster to breach the mainstream market and airwaves. In this vein, Jackson’s rendition of ‘People Make The World Go Round’, recorded originally by The Stylistics, takes the cake.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
A late-career highlight from the legendary singer who had all but disappeared from the spotlight following her decision to move to Liberia in the early seventies. Although the recording process and subsequent release came as a less-than-pleasing experience (as far as Simone was concerned), this record, her only for CTI, sits comfortably among her strongest thematic efforts, proving the high priestess never lost her calling nor the ability to touch hearts.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
We’ve made it to the end of this label feature and touched on several cracking albums you’ll want to go away and listen to (here’s hoping, anyway). If craving something more, however, be sure to give this retrospective compilation a shot. Containing over five hours of remastered music showcasing the freshest cuts on loan from the CTI vaults, this album covers everything from Deodato’s smooth Brazilian soundscapes to the multilayered jazz-funk fusion of Bob James.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Barney Whittaker
