Bennie Maupin
Slow Traffic To The Right

Bennie Maupin came to prominence playing with Miles Davis on ‘Bitches Brew’ and ‘On The Corner’ and then with Herbie Hancock on many albums in the 70s as part of The Headhunters, although the Detroit-native saxophonist had started as part of The Four Tops’ backing band. Maupin plays Tenor and Soprano saxes, flutes, bass clarinet and other woodwind instruments on ‘Slow Traffic To The Right’ his second album as a leader which was recorded for Mercury in 1977. He is accompanied by many great musicians including Patrice Rushen, Patrick Gleeson and arranger Onaje Allan Gumbs all on keyboards, Paul Jackson bass, Eddie Henderson trumpet, Blackbird McKnight guitar,  James Levi drums amongst others. The six mainly self-written tracks are top level Jazz-Funk with a certain level of intensity, but still very accessible. ‘It Remains To Be Seen’ and ‘You Know The Deal’ are funky highlights, that have great grooves. ‘Quasar’ and ‘Water Torture’ which both originally appeared on Herbie Hancock’s ‘Crossings’ album five years earlier, are beautiful mid tempo tracks that glide along serenely with incredible arrangements by Gumbs. Long overdue reissue of a superb album.