More Than a Feelin’

Description

More Than a Feelin’ is the debut album by the American instrumental jazz-rock group Koinonia, released on the Swedish gospel label Royal Music in 1983, and as well on Sparrow Records in the US. (“Koinonia” is a Greek word meaning “communion by intimate participation.”) The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Bill Schnee at Bill Schnee Studios in North Hollywood, California.

The album track “On My Way Home” was covered by Fletch Wiley on his 1981-album Nightwatch (featuring Koinonia as session band).

Koinonia was founded in Los Angeles in 1980 by noted session bassist Abraham Laboriel. Three of the band’s long time members hailed from Latin America – Justo Almario (woodwind), Abraham Laboriel (bass) and Alex Acuña (drums and percussion) – while the other three – Harlan Rogers (keyboards), Hadley Hockensmith (guitar), and Bill Maxwell (drums and percussion) – had common roots in Oklahoma and the rhythm and blues music that was predominant in that area during their early years as musicians. (Rogers, Hockensmith and Maxwell actually also were members of the R&B combo Sonlight in the ’70s, known as the back-up band of Andrae Crouch.) Koinonia’s debut album also featured John Phillips on woodwinds (who left the band immediately following the release of their debut album) and noted session guitarist Dean Parks (who left the band because he preferred not to travel), the husband of Carol Carmichael.

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/more-than-a-feelin/1100242962)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “More Than A Feelin'” – 5:15
A2. “Rescue” – 4:10
A3. “Graceful” – 4:20
A4. “Cuando” – 3:50
A5. “Divina” – 3:59

Side Two
B1. “Give Your Love” – 5:15
B2. “Valentine” – 5:20
B3. “Funky Bumpkins” – 4:32
B4. “On My Way Home” – 5:17

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records. Later re-issued on CD.

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CREDITS. Produced by Bill Schnee. Recorded at Bill Schnee Studios, North Hollywood, California. Recorded the week of September 27, 1982. Mixed the week of January 31, 1983. Engineered by Bill Schnee. Assistant Engineers: David Schober, Jack Joseph Puig, and Dan Garcia.

Musicians: Harlan Rogers (Keyboards), John Phillips (Woodwinds), Dean Parks (Guitars), Hadley Hockensmith (Guitars), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Bill Maxwell (Drums – tracks: A1,A3,A4,B1,B3,B4, Percussion), Alex Acuna (Drums – tracks: A2,A5,B2, Percussion). Special guests: Justo Almario (Woodwinds), Michael Omartian (Synthesizers), Russ Taff (Vocals). Synthesizer programming: Tom Keene and Michael Omartian. Vocals on “Give Your Love”: Abraham Laboriel, Russ Taff, Hadley Hockensmith, Bill Maxwell, Harlan Rogers. Vocals on “Divina”: Harlan Rogers, Russ Taff, Abraham Laboriel.