Put Sunshine in It
| Put Sunshine in It | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1985 | |||
| Genre | Jazz, pop jazz | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | Todd Cochran, Bruce Purse | |||
| Arthur Blythe chronology | ||||
| ||||
Put Sunshine in It is an album by the American saxophonist Arthur Blythe, released in 1985.[1][2] The album was regarded as an attempt, at the behest of Blythe's label, Columbia Records, to woo a crossover fusion audience, although Blythe claimed that he was interested in trying a different style of music.[3][4] Blythe supported the album with live dates, backed by his longtime band.[5]
Production
[edit]The album was produced by Todd Cochran, who also played keyboards, and Bruce Purse, who composed many of the songs.[6][7] Blythe was also backed by Alphonso Johnson on bass, Michael O'Neill on guitar, and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler on drums.[6][8] Blythe used drum machines and synthesizers on some of the tracks, which incorporated elements of disco and funk.[4][9] "Sentimental Walk" is an interpretation of the song from the film Diva.[10]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| Los Angeles Times | [7] |
| Oakland Tribune | [12] |
| Omaha World-Herald |  [6] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer | [13] |
| Valley Advocate | [14] |
The Philadelphia Inquirer opined that the "estimable alto saxophonist's desperate attempt to woo the Grover Washington Jr. crowd is a dismal failure even on its own lenient terms".[13] The Omaha World-Herald concluded that "Blythe's slightly off-center sound and fiery, upper-register cries remain, but are somewhat diminished and diluted by elemental funk and ballads."[6] The Globe and Mail said that "Blythe waves lightly at the six nondescript tunes, and his Tweety-Bird tone and high-flying ideas—thin though they are compared to previous efforts—are just enough to carry the music."[15]
The Washington Post called Put Sunshine in It Blythe's worst album, stating that he "gets lost amid bland tunes and fuzak backing".[5] The Buffalo News opined, "So human and urgent is his sound and so tactile his sculpting of melody, that it is profoundly musical, for all its obvious commerciality."[16] The Sun panned the "unimaginative tunes encased in synthetic syrup."[17]
AllMusic labeled the album a "dud" and noted that it was dominated by Cochran.[11]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Tumalumah" | |
| 2. | "Put Sunshine in It" | |
| 3. | "Uptown Strut" | |
| 4. | "Silhouette" | |
| 5. | "#5" | |
| 6. | "Sentimental Walk (Theme from Diva)" |
References
[edit]- ^ Matthews, Carl (March 30, 1985). "Arthur Blythe". Dawn Magazine. Atlanta Voice. p. 13.
- ^ Wyatt, Hugh (February 1, 1985). "Bebop tradition bops on". Friday. Daily News. New York. p. 18.
- ^ Pick, Steve (April 29, 1988). "A Blythe-Spirited Return to the Basics". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. G4.
- ^ a b Gilbert, Andrew (July 29, 1999). "Long Time Coming: Arthur Blythe Returns to the Spotlight". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 9.
- ^ a b Himes, Geoffrey (February 3, 1985). "Arthur Blythe". Lifestyle. The Washington Post.
- ^ a b c d Smith, Will (February 17, 1985). "Alto Saxist Blythe Fairly Successful in Commercial Compromise". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald. p. 1.
- ^ a b Feather, Leonard (March 24, 1985). "Jazz Album Briefs". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 68.
- ^ Karlovits, Bob (February 14, 1985). "Arthur Blythe's sax work puts 'Sunshine' a cut above most fusion". The Pittsburgh Press. p. B4.
- ^ Adams, James (February 21, 1985). "Fail to thee Blythe spirit". Edmonton Journal. p. C3.
- ^ "One glissando". News Pilot. San Pedro. March 29, 1985. p. E12.
- ^ a b "Put Sunshine in It Review by Scott Yanow". AllMusic. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
- ^ Kelp, Larry (February 17, 1985). "Records". Calendar. Oakland Tribune. p. 22.
- ^ a b Davis, Francis (February 8, 1985). "Albums". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. E28.
- ^ Roberts, Jim (March 13, 1985). "Test Pressings". Valley Advocate. Pioneer Valley. p. 34.
- ^ Miller, Mark (February 21, 1985). "Jazz". The Globe and Mail. p. E5.
- ^ Simon, Jeff (February 15, 1985). "Jazz". Gusto. The Buffalo News. p. 32.
- ^ Rutter, Frank (March 2, 1985). "Jazz". The Sun. Vancouver. p. B4.