Soulfunkjazz’s Blog

Funk In A Mason Jar (1977)
Smooth soulful jazz from Harvey Mason — one of his strong 70s winners for the Arista album, and a record that really brings a new level of class to his sound! There’s less of the grit in the grooves than you might expect from the down-home reference of the title — and in a way, the record’s a similar shift to well-produced R&B as Michael Henderson or Norman Connor’s work from the same time — a soaring, fluid groove that’s still supported by solid jazz instrumentation, but which also has a nice dose of soul in the mix! Players here are a real all-star lineup — with talents that include Dorothy Ashby, George Benson, Ronnie Foster, Bob James, and Phil Upchurch — and most cuts have vocals, by The Waters and others. But possibly best of all is the production — which is by Harvey, and really wonderful — sophisticated and smooth, but never slick — a really careful balance that really puts him right up there with Norman Connors or Roy Ayers! Titles include “Pack Up Your Bags”, “Till You Take My Love”, “Funk In A Mason Jar”, “What’s Going On”, “Set It Free”, “Space Cadets” and “Freedom Either Way”
Tracks:
1. Pack Up Your Bass
2. Till You Take My Love
3. Space Cadets
4. Freedom Either Way
5. Funk In A Mason Jar
6. What’s Going On?
7. Set It Free
8. Phantazia
9. Liquid
**Listen**