• 1. B. E.
      • 2. Criss Cross
      • 3. Shawn-Neeq
      • 4. Gee-Gee
      • 5. B. K.

      One of the most radiant is his debut, Shawn-Neeq, originally issued in 1973. The album came in the wake of the soul jazz era when Miles Davis' startling shift into a Sly Stone-informed electric-jazz swept over musicians and hip listeners like a tsunami. Thanks to the Black Jazz label, Keys did his part in delivering good Miles-influenced jazz-funk to record buyers, music that has aged surprisingly well. Throughout Shawn-Neeq, Keys' guitar shows him to be a close stylistic ally of two guitarists with a similar soul jazz pedigree: Grant Green and George Benson. His pentatonic, bluesy riffs and occasional 'outside' sounds grace songs based on riffs or chords. The man plays with control and confidence." --Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat; Personnel: Calvin Keys (guitar), Bob Braye (drums), Lawrence Evans (bass), Larry Nash (electric piano), Owen Marshall (flute, hose-a-phone, misc.)

      People also bought

      Gene Russell Talk to My LadySnow Dog
      Gene Russell should be a name familiar to committed and more casual fans of jazz and R&B made in the 1970s.  Talk to My Lady has its transcendent...
      • – Talk to My Lady
      • – My Favorite Things
        The Awakening Mirage Snow Dog
        The Awakening's jazz - hard bop with side-trips into soul jazz, plus some free-jazz tonal expressionism. The Chicago-based jazz sextet known as The...
        • – Mode for D. D.
        • – The Ultimate Frontier
        Rudolph JohnsonThe Second Coming Black Jazz
        You may not know this album but it is one of DEEPEST of all Black Jazz releases - hard to describe but SPIRITUALLY and SONICALLY up there with John Coltrane's...
        • – The Traveler
        • – Time And Space
        • – The Highest Pleasure
        Rudolph JohnsonSpring Rain Snow Dog
        It was a time when the reigning U.S. label for jazz was CTI. The early 1970s also saw another label hit the streets, and with Rudolph Johnson's Spring...
        • – Fonda
        • – Diswa
        Gene RussellNew DirectionSnow Dog
        Think Ahmad Jamal. Vince Guaraldi. Junior Mance. Red Garland. Ramsey Lewis. Then think again. It's Gene Russell with his New Direction, an album that originally...
        • – Black Orchid
        • – Hitting the Jug
        Walter BishopCoral Keys Snow Dog
        The songs on Coral Keys are decisive and radiant, thankfully free of the indulgences marring many jazz records issued in the early 1970s. The title-track...
        • – Coral Keys
        • – Waltz for Zweetie
        Henry Franklin The SkipperSnow Dog
        For decades, the Los Angeles jazz community has been fortunate to have bass player Henry 'The Skipper' Franklin in their midst. He's a paragon of jazz...
        • – Outbreak
        • – Plastic Creek Stomp
        Doug Carn Spirit of the New LandBlack Jazz
        Deep, deep spiritual jazz. Original copy. Vinyl is great. Sleeve has promo sticker, 2 dynamo name stickers, tape residue in corner, two v. small tears...
        • – My Spirit
        The Awakening Hear, Sense & Feel Snow Dog
        The Awakening sees the light of day again, escaping oblivion thanks to the reissuing of the Chicago-based jazz sextet's 1972 album titled Hear, Sense &...
        • – Awakening Prologue: Spring Thing
        • – Convulsions
        Walter Bishop, Jr.’s 4th CycleKeeper of My Soul Black Jazz
        Deep, spiritual, funky soul jazz - really superb album sounding like Blue Note, Flying Dutchman, McCoy Tyner, Strata East. Really HEAVY powerful grooves...
        • – Soul Village
        • – N'Dugu's Prayer
        Kellee PattersonMaiden VoyageBlack Jazz
        Fantastic album on Black Jazz, originally released in 1974 and featuring a great vocal version of Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage". Produced by Gene Russell,...
        • – Maiden Voyage