[MRL 384] Jay Berliner - Bananas Are Not Created Equal

MRL 384
1972


Personnel:

Guitar - Jay Berliner, Cornell Dupree
Bass - Gordon Edwards
Conga - Ray Barretto
Drums - Jimmy Johnson (2)
Mallets, Tambourine - Joe Venuto
Piano - Paul Griffin



Tracks:

A1 Getting The Message (3:59)
A2 I Just Want To Be There (3:50)
A3 Papa Was A Rolling Stone (5:28)
A4 Hey Western Union Man (3:05)
A5 Stormy (4:14)

B1 Use Me (3:04)
B2 We've Come Too Far To End It Now (4:35)
B3 Stickball (4:30)
B4 I'm Still In Love With You (4:14)

Producer - Bob Shad



Dusty Groove review:

A silly title, but a funky little record -- one of the only ones we've ever seen from guitarist Jay Berliner, and one of the best cookers from the early 70s Mainstream Records years! The sound here is almost soundtrack funk at points -- lots of up-front lines from Berliner on guitar -- riffing away over backings that include organ and keyboards from Paul Griffin, congas from Ray Barretto, drums from Jimmy Johnson, and additonal rhythm guitar from Cornell Dupree. Wade Marcus arranged, and the sound is tight without being slick -- a great sort of Kudu Records-styled groove -- and an especially nice setting for Jay's guitar. Titles include "Getting The Message", "Stickball", "I'm Still In Love With You", "I Just Want To Be There", "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", and a nice cover of Bill Withers' "Use Me"!