Gary Bartz – Dr. Follow’s Dance
Gary Bartz – Standing On The Corner
Gary Bartz – Sing A Song Today
Not sure why I haven’t posted anything from Gary Bartz just yet, he’s long been one of my favorite 1970s spiritual jazz players, ever since hearing his classic “Celestial Blues” on Luv’n’Haight’s Jazz Dance Classics Vol. 1 collection from back in the day. At one time I had virtually all of his prime records from 1967’s debut as leader, Libra, to 1973’s Singerella. 
Aside from the two volumes of Harlem Bush Music and the phenomenal live album I’ve Known Rivers, this record was always a favorite. Recently ran into a choice copy and after not having seen it since I sold my copy in the big sell-off of 2004, I had to snatch it up.
Of his albums from this era, Follow, is probably the funkiest of the bunch. As evidence look no further than “Dr. Follow’s Dance,” which begins with a crisp & clean drum break before the rest of the band joins in the rhythm. When Bartz’s sax joins in the song settles into a upbeat and breezy 1970s jazz dance number with a little bit of Mizell Bros. style (who Bartz would later work with on 1977’s Music Is My Sanctuary). Also included is Bartz’s sunny sounding though lyrically biting critique of complacency, “Standing On The Corner,” a track that I’m surprised hasn’t been chopped up by any Hip-Hop producers, at least not to my knowledge. Same goes for the darker in tone, though no less funky “Sing A Song Today.” I love especially how the song breaks down repeatedly away from the basic medley, often with virtually clean and tight drums from Howard King or amplified horn lines from Bartz that never seem to repeat. Another standout which I’m not bringing to you, “Sifa Zote” features Bey’s vocals and Bartz’s sax in praise of blackness, in fact all the tracks on this album are worth a listen as is every album from this period of Bartz’s career…tough to track down these days but well worth the effort.
Cheers,
Michael