Johnny Hammond classic 1975 album ‘Gears’ was produced by the Mizell Brothers at the top of their game and is one of the all time great Jazz-Funk albums. It includes the funky up tempo instrumental ‘Los Conquistadores Chocolates’, and the Rare grooves ‘Fantasy’ , ‘Tell Me what to do’, ‘shifting Gears’ and beautiful ‘Can’t we smile’. The previously unissued ‘A Childs love’ is featured with fast and superior slow versions, ‘Song for my family’ and more upbeat ‘Detroit Rainbow’ are interesting but can’t match the quality of the tracks on the awesome original album.
Track listings:
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01 Tell Me What To Do by Johnny Hammond
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02 Los Conquistadores Chocolates by Johnny Hammond
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03 Lost On 23rd Street by Johnny Hammond
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04 Fantasy by Johnny Hammond
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05 Shifting Gears by Johnny Hammond
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06 Can’t We Smile by Johnny Hammond
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07 A Child’s Love (fast) by Johnny Hammond
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08 A Child’s Love (slow) by Johnny Hammond
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09 Song For My Family by Johnny Hammond
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10 Detroit Rainbow by Johnny Hammond
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11 Funky Native by Johnny Hammond
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12 Why Can’t We Smile (alt) by Johnny Hammond
Rafiqa Darr –
Johnny Hammond was an undisputed genius like Lonnie Liston Smith – but he never got the recognition he deserved like most black musicians do not. It is a travesty that these musicians who were so talented are unknown and unrecognised. I have loved the track Fantasy by Johnny Hammond for nearly 40 years (since I was 14), from the classic album Gears (1975). He died not young but far from old. RIP Johnny Hammond.