Give Me Some Emotion: The Epic Anthology 1976-1981

Webster Lewis was American pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. In the late 60s and early 70s, he led an early European jazz-funk band and cut a pair of albums for Sonet. After returning to the states, he played piano and keyboards with Tony Williams, George Russell, and Herbie Hancock. Lewis catalog contains four oft-sampled albums for Epic: On the Town (1976), Touch My Love (1978), 8 for the 80s (1979), and Let Me Be the One (1981). Expansions Give Me Some Emotion: The Epic Anthology 1976-1981, compiled by Will Fox and Ralph Tee, is an overview of his label tenure in 16 killer tracks. The compilation is sequenced aesthetically rather than chronologically. Lewis hired dozens of top-flight jazz musicians and singers for his recordings. The two openers, "Hideaway" and "Barbara Ann," are among four selected from Touch My Love. The former is frenetic and joyous, fueled by a massive bassline and hyper-stummed wah-wah guitars over Lewiss piano, sweeping strings, a female vocal chorus, and a righteous tenor sax solo from Harold Vick. "Barbara Ann," Lewis best-known track, endures as a club anthem in the 21st century. Wedding kinetic Latin grooves to disco, soul, and funky-butt jazz, it sounds like Eddie Palmieri jamming with the Love Unlimited Orchestra (Lewis worked with them in the 1980s). His Rhodes solo is at once musically expansive and meaty. The other two tracks from the album are its glossy title jam, with an infectious, vocally rich, Earth Wind & Fire-esque groove, and the relentlessly funky "Hideaway," with production that recalls George Clinton. 8 for the 80s was the only charting album Lewis released; chock-full of brilliant songs and production, three of its tracks appear here. "You Deserve to Dance" is transcendent with punchy drums, co-producer Herbie Hancocks edgy clavinet, as well as handclaps, sweeping strings, and soaring female vocals. This sets title track was a smash single for Merry Clayton. Sung by Johnny Baker backed by a female chorus, its a bouncy love song rather than the passionate baby-maker in Claytons read. "The Love You Give to Me" is a midtempo jazzy soul ballad that is among the sets finest moments thanks to an astonishing vocal from Sylvia Cox. Five tracks appear from Let Me Be the One, co-produced with Skip Scarborough. While "Dancer" is a steamy, Ramsey Lewis-esque dancefloor cranker, "El Bobo" is a summery Afro-Brazilian-cum-Latin-jazz-funk vehicle for master percussionist Willie Bobo. That albums title number is a stomping disco jam with passionate vocals and chants, while "You Are My Life" is the most passionate love song Lewis recorded. The unreleased tracks include the Rhodes-drenched "Reach Out" (Lewis was a spectacular pianist) the sophisticated jazzy soul of "Boston," and an alternate take of Touch My Loves "Japanese Umbrella." This compilation is essential. It offers fantastic sound and a fine liner essay from Fox. The only complaint is that only half of Lewis Epic titles are in print. Hopefully, a company is planning to make them all available again. ~ Thom Jurek