{"product_id":"1990684","title":"Levy, O'donel - Simba [CD]","description":"Brand New From Reputable UK Company With 30 Years Experience In Retail, Please Note Not All Our New Items Are Shrink Wrapped.\u003cbr\u003eAll items shipped within 3 working days of payment.\u003cbr\u003ePlease note that all our DVDs are Region 2.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlease note that not all audio CDs are shrink-wrapped fom the factory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eProudly presenting a new series of Mr Bongo reissues exploring the incredible back catalogue of \u003cstrong\u003eSonny Lester's iconic Groove Merchant record label\u003c\/strong\u003e. First up, the spellbinding funk-fuelled, soul jazz album 'Simba', by guitar maestro O'Donel Levy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBaltimore-born, Levy was already well regarded as one of the best up-and-coming jazz guitarists at the time of Simba's release. Having toured with \u003cstrong\u003eGeorge Benson\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eJimmy McGriff\u003c\/strong\u003e, as well as featuring on McGriff's Black Pearl album on \u003cstrong\u003eBlue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e, he went on to sign with Sonny Lester's Groove Merchant. Produced by Lester himself and recorded over two back-to-back days of sessions in 1973, Simba features a who's who of '70s session players. The album features the legendary studio drummer \u003cstrong\u003eSteve Gadd\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eCecil Bridgewater\u003c\/strong\u003e on Flugelhorn, bass by \u003cstrong\u003eTony Levin\u003c\/strong\u003e and arrangements by \u003cstrong\u003eManny Albam\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA masterclass in tight yet effortlessly funk-driven rhythms, the tracks showcase these musicians at their zenith. Album opener 'Bad, Bad, Simba' wouldn't have been out of place on a \u003cstrong\u003eLalo Schifrin\u003c\/strong\u003e '70s car chase soundtrack. Levy's playing is brilliant, bright and slick, with an infectiously exuberant energy that is complimented perfectly by Gadd's supreme drumming. 'Playhouse' serves up another vibrant offering, Wah Wah guitars, horns and flutes duelling it out in a fast-paced fashion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe cinematic thread continues throughout, yet with the tempo taken down a notch. 'Sierra Lonely' and 'Sad, Sad, Simba' head into lush ballad territory, with superb arrangements by Albam and beautiful playing by Collins and Bridgewater on Flugelhorn. Here Levy shines without taking any limelight, as the players synergize to a relaxed perfection. 'Nigerian Knights' closes the album flawlessly, showcasing once more Levy's understated yet magnetic flow on the guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery track on 'Simba' is a winner. As with \u003cstrong\u003eCTI Recordings\u003c\/strong\u003e of the same era, the feel and textures of Sonny Lester's productions have that pre-emptive, hip-hop aesthetic, which later producers would rework and reimagine. This album is expertly balanced, deftly arranged and magically executed, ebbing and flowing with a cool buoyancy that just grooves and grooves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBad, Bad, Simba\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKilimanjaro Cookout\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlayhouse\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSierra Lonely\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSad, Sad, Simba\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJoni\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNigerian Knights\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chalkys.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56025169854849,"sku":"1990684","price":25.48,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0056\/8043\/1219\/files\/levy-o-donel-simba-cd.jpg?v=1785700955","url":"https:\/\/chalkys.com\/products\/1990684","provider":"Chalkys.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}