5. Fire and Rain – CTI All Stars
From an album that was only ever (to my knowledge) released on vinyl, this is a great batch of jazz/funk musicians at the peak of their ability, appeal and confidence.

Live in front of large crowd at the Hollywood Palladium in California, 1971, here’s Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Ron Carter, George Benson, Hubert Laws, Hank Crawford, Johnny Hammond, Billy Cobham and Airto Moreira — and they’re giving the classic James Taylor pop hit a good workover.

I happened upon this record when I was browsing a second hand record store, and an estate lot was brought in. There was some great music in there, and I bought a few good records that day. Whoever had died, they had great taste.

Lovely gatefold artwork and sleevenotes. Creed Taylor was big on his packaging and presentation, and it makes a real difference to the experience of the music. Where cool old vinyl wins over mp3s is mostly in the smell.

It’s difficult to find a lot of what was released on the CTI label, and most people these days haven’t heard this stuff — so, unable to distribute the feel of the cardboard, the smell of the vinyl or the tangible aspect of putting the record on the turntable, allow me to at least give you some of the sound of the record.

There’s nothing better to put on late afternoon, and sit back with a beer.

Pretending it’s summer is optional.