Joyous [Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf Series]

by Pleasure

Overview

Pleasure couldn't have asked for a more appropriate producer when, in late 1976, it employed Wayne Henderson on Joyous. A band that frequently brought jazz overtones to its funk-soul foundation, Pleasure needed someone who held jazz and R&B in equally high regard -- and Henderson easily fit that description. The Texas trombonist first made a name for himself playing hard bop with the Jazz Crusaders, but as the 1970s progressed, he became increasingly R&B-friendly. Henderson was exactly the sort of producer that Pleasure needed, and the band's appreciation of jazz comes through on the up-tempo funk numbers (which include "Dance to the Music," "Let Me Be the One," and the title song) as well as the dreamy quiet storm gem "Sassafras Girl." Pleasure brings this vinyl LP to an appealing close with a jazz-funk instrumental titled "Selim," which isn't typical of Joyous on the whole -- most of the tunes are vocal-oriented. This is a funk-soul record first and foremost, and it is also a classic that underscores Pleasure's risk-taking nature. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/04/2023
Label:	Craft Records
UPC:	0888072436602
Rank:	33923

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Pleasure   Primary Artist
Pamela Goldsmith   Viola
Janet Lakatos   Violin
Steve Madaio   Trumpet
Israel Baker   Violin
Bonnie Douglas   Violin
Allan Harshman   Viola
Betty La Magna   Violin
Nathaniel Phillips   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Armand Kaproff   Cello
Herman Riley   Flute,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Bruce Carter   Drums
Nathan Gershman   Cello
Paul Shure   Violin
Nathan Ross   Violin
Dennis Springer   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
Nathan Kaproff   Violin
Dorothy Wade   Violin
Donald Hepburn   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Dennis Christianson   Trumpet
Robert Sushel   Violin
Sherman Davis   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Michael Hepburn   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Stanley Plummer   Violin
Betty LaMagna   Violin
Nathaniel Philips   Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Alex Neimann   Viola
Marlon "The Magician" McClain   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Robert Carr   Sax (Baritone)
Bruce Smith   Cuica,Congas,Vocals,Cowbell,Bell Tree,Flexatones,Tambourine,Vocals (Background)
Mayo Tiano   Trombone

Technical Credits

Marlon McClain   Composer
Nathaniel Phillips   Composer
Eddie Bill Harris   Engineer,Recording
Geoff Sykes   Mastering
Wayne Henderson   Producer
Donald Hepburn   Composer
Michael Hepburn   Composer
Phil Carroll   Art Direction
Jamie Putnam   Design
Jackson Schwartz   Assistant Engineer
Dan Brewster   Composer,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Phil Bray   Photography
Marlon "The Magician" McClain   Composer
Frank Clark   Engineer,Remixing,Recording
Bruce Smith   Composer,Lyricist