Les De Merle Spectrum

Description

First-ever vinyl reissue of 1969 soul-jazz rarity by jazz drummer prodigy Les DeMerle.

“When Les De Merle released Spectrum in 1968, at age 22, his credentials as a musician were already impressive. Having been immersed in jazz culture from an early age, De Merle was already an accomplished bandleader by the time of the album’s release, but Spectrum helped establish De Merle as not only a skillful, creative drummer on his own, but a composer/arranger adept in crafting a cohesive, intoxicating album.

Spectrum is a prime example of his talents as a drummer and arranger, as, working with a large band, he gives tracks like A Taste of Honey and A Day in the Life (famously sampled by rapper O.C. for his classic 1994 single Time’s Up) a polished, big sound reminiscent of Quincy Jones or David Axelrod.” – Get On Down