Description
Celebration is a live album by the American instrumental jazz-rock group Koinonia, released on the Swedish gospel label Royal Music in 1984, and as well on Sparrow Records in the US. The album was recorded March 1984, live at Scandinavium Hall in Gothenburg and in Stockholm, Sweden. The recording was engineered by Keith Grant – assisted by Lennart Nilsson and Agne Thorstensson – using the Team Ljudmedia Mobile Unit. Assembled by Win Kutz and Bill Maxwell and mixed in the US by Kutz – assisted by Todd Van Etten, Steve Ford, and Ray Leonard – at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, Sound City and P.V.R. Studios in Los Angeles, California. Produced by Koinonia.
Three of the members of Koinonia 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), 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 band Sonlight in the ’70s, known as the back-up band of Andrae Crouch.)
What a recipe for a band! Three musicians from Oklahoma with their roots deep in R&B. Three more from Mexico, Peru and Colombia, gifted jazz players who live and breathe the intricate rhythms of the dances of Latin America. And out of this mix, one of the most exciting experiences in the sheer joy of music that you will ever hear. What makes it all come together is the respect and love that these gifted players have for one another.
Abraham Laboriel had worked with these players in the studios of L.A. where they each still contribute to the projects of a variety of other artists. When he brought them together for the first gig in 1980 at L.A.’s “Baked Potato,” it gave them a new outlet to express their own musical ideas using a rich vocabulary borrowed from jazz, R&B, rock, “gospel” and a variety of rhythms from salsa to samba. The virtuosity and energy that each member brings to the band, and the creativity that comes from loving the Creator, release the joy and celebration that you hear on this record.
It’s the same CELEBRATION that was experienced by the 14,000 people who heard them in Scandinavium Hall in Gothenburg and in Stockholm on the three nights of March 1984 when this album was recorded LIVE, a CELEBRATION you are now invited to share as you listen… [Note on the back of the LP sleeve]
Classic live albums by jazz luminaries from Benny Goodman to Pat Metheny give testimony to the fact that instrumental jazz is best expressed in front of an audience. With the release of ‘Celebration’, add Koinonia to the list of jazz artists with outstanding live LPs. ‘Celebration’ chronicles three concerts before crowds of up to 14,000 in Gothenburg and Stockholm, Sweden, last March. The dates were engineered by Keith Grant, who places the listener in front row center.
Koinonia often performs in small Los Angeles area clubs, and that sense of intimacy with the audience i missed on ‘Celebration’, particularly on the mellower tunes. However, the excitement of facing a sell-out crown helps the band take the faster paced material “over the top.”
The six-man group expands on the strengths of its 1983 studio album debut, playing a tightly arranged jazz-rock mix, reminiscent of Spyro Gyra or Lee Ritenour’s Friendship. The line-up on this album includes Abe Laboriel (bass), Hadley Hockensmith (guitar), Harlan Rogers (keyboards), Bill Maxwell (drums), Alex Acuna (percussion) and Justo Almario (woodwinds).
Each musician gets his moment in the limelight. Almario, only a sideman on the first LP, establishes his credentials on the album opener, Michael Omartian‘s «Pilgrim’s Progression». Almario also contributes lovely flute work on «For You» and a variety of interest sax parts to the entire project.
Maxwell, best know for his muscular drumming behind Andrae Crouch and Keith Green, adds a subtle touch to his renowned back-beat and shows a distinct flair for jazz rhythms. Note his explosive attack on «Celebration» and his understated support in the introspective «For You». Hockensmith (“The Hawk”) displays his blues roots on the scorching shuffle «Sno-Cone», the other non-original tune in this collection. The Hawk’s often unheralded guitar work is also featured on the title track.
Acuna, who penned the percussion work-out «Agapao», is not spotlighted often, but adds indispensible parts to every song. You’ll find yourself listening for congas, timbales, tambourine, go-go bells, and things that go bump in the night. Laboriel’s fingers fairly fly off the fret-board several times. His popping percussive bass propels «Goodbye Means God Be With You» and the oh-so-funky «Countin’ the Cost».
Rogers is very effective in a supporting role. When Rogers flexes his solo muscles, he make it count. «Goodbye…» features his most prominent piano work, and on «Sno-Cone» he revives the Hammond sound of Gregg Allman.
The album’s only weak spot is the sole vocal, «All the Time», written and sung by Laboriel. In this context he seems nervous, and the inclusion of a vocal piece seems an afterthought.
Although there is no overt gospel content in these tracks, except for the vocal, Christians can enjoy these songs for what they offer: superbly crafted melodies arranged and performed by some of the finest musicians around. [Bruce Brown, CCM, September 1984]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/celebration/1146835348)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Pilgrim’s Progression” – 6:55
A2. “Hidden Beauty” – 4:40
A3. “Agapao” – 1:34
A4. “Celebration” – 6:25
A5. “Countin’ The Cost” – 6:38
Side Two
B1. “Sno-Cone”- 5:18
B2. “From You” – 4:54
B3. “Goodbye – Means God Be With You” – 5:28
B4. “All The Time” – 4:17
B5. “Miracle” – 4:20
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP. Later re-issued on CD by Sparrow Records.
Live at Scandinavium
Live Ohne Filter Extra, Germany 1984.
CREDITS. Produced by Koinonia. Recorded Live in Scandinavium, Gothenburg and in Stockholm, March 1984. Recording engineered by Keith Grant using the Team Ljudmedia Mobile Unit. Assistent Engineers: Lennart Nilsson and Agne Thorstensson. Re-mix Engineer: Win Kutz. Assembled by Win Kutz and Bill Maxwell. Los Angeles Studios: Mama Jo’s, Sound City and P.V.R. Studios. Assistent Engineers: Todd Van Etten, Steve Ford and Ray Leonard. Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disk. Cover Illustration by Rhonda Voo. Cover Design by Stan Evenson.
Musicians: Koinonia – Harlan Rogers (Keyboards), Hadley Hockensmith (Guitar), Justo Almario (Woodwind), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Bill Maxwell (Drums – tracks: A1,A2,A4,A5,B1, Percussion), Alex Acuña (Drums – tracks: B1,B2,B3,B4,B5, Percussion, Percussion intro on track A3).
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