The Harold Land/Blue Mitchell Quintet — Mapenzi (Full Album)

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Mapenzi is an album by The Harold Land/Blue Mitchell Quintet recorded in 1977 and released on the Concord label.

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow:
This Concord release was tenor saxophonist Harold Land’s first as a leader in a decade, although he had co-led many sessions in the interim with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. Starting in 1975, Land and trumpeter Blue Mitchell worked regularly in a quintet up until Mitchell’s death in 1979, but this album was just about their only joint recording. With keyboardist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Reggie Johnson, and drummer Al “Tootie” Heath offering solid support, the group performs four originals by Land (including the title cut and “Rapture”), two songs by Lightsey, and Mitchell’s “Blue Silver.” Fusion may have been the dominant force at the time, but despite Lightsey doubling on electric piano, this is an excellent example of 1977 hard bop (https://goo.gl/nWGFAw).

Track listing:
All compositions by Harold Land except as indicated
“Mapenzi” – 5:15
“Rapture” – 5:08
“Habiba” (Kirk Lightsey) – 10:19
“Blue Silver” (Blue Mitchell) – 4:58
“Everything’s Changed” (Kirk Lightsey) – 5:13
“Inner Voice” – 6:08
“Tres Senderos” – 5:29
Recorded at Sunwest Recording Studios in Hollywood, California on April 14, 1977.

Personnel:
Blue Mitchell – trumpet, flugelhorn
Harold Land – tenor saxophone
Kirk Lightsey – piano
Reggie Johnson – bass
Albert Heath – drums

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Released: 1977
Recorded: April 14, 1977
Length: 42:30
Label: Concord
Producer: Carl Jefferson