Hank Crawford's 'Tico Rico'

Wow! I just dug this excellent LP from my stack of obsolete albums never remastered or bootlegged anywhere. Good thing though, technology has made it easier one can turn LP's, 45s, and 78s into CDs and I will be doing just that. I have searched every archive to see if 'Tico Rico' has been remastered and digitally "waxed" but found out the original recordings and studio may have lost the master tape. Not even Amoeba Records or Sterns Records can brag about having the rights to dig 'Tico Rico' out. Rare though, but possible, depending on the term of contract. If organist Johnny Hammond's "Breakout" LP could be digitally remastered during the same Kudu years, why not the legendary Cajun man, Hank Crawford? But anyway, I just thought whoever must have hidden this masterpiece should pop up and turn it into CD. I'm missing listening to tracks like 'Tico Rico,' 'I've Just Seen a Face,' 'Teach Me Tonight,' 'Funky Rooster,' and 'Lady Soul.'

Absolutely one of the best jazz recordings by Creed Taylor and the Kudu years.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I couldn't agree more. This has a special place in my heart because it, along with Grover Washington Jr.'s "Feels so Good", were my introduction to the whole CTI thing from which I've never looked back (well, actually I did - to 60s Impulse). My copy is worn so thin it is past digitising - even with copious amounts of Soundforge.
Anonymous said…
Ah, Tico Tico (Hank Crawford) May God continue to bless the oldies. I got it recorded on tape together with Lee Oscar, Groover Washington Jr and others in 2004 or so when I went to Nigeria...I still enjoy Rico Rico so much. I doubt if there's going to be another Jazz hit better than this. Anyway, let me stop before anyone accusses me of being sentimental. Keep shooting.
Anonymous said…
Hakeem, you are right about that.
igbos27 said…
I am hungrier to have Hank's "I've Just Seen A Face". Let any do-gooder hand out this favor!
Jimi said…
In my nostalgic search for this great album, I stumbled on forgotten masterpieces such as Grover Washington Jr's Mr Magic and Eric Gale's Ginseng Woman. As much pleasure as these have given me, I won't be satisfied until I hear "I've just seen a face" at least once more. It is a real shame this is not available anywhere.