People Moving (Remastered) Azar Lawrence

• 1Theme For A New Day05:19
• 2The Awakening06:45
• 3Kickin' Back06:42
• 4People Moving05:48
• 5Can't Hide Love04:12
• 6Canticle For The Universe04:53
• 7Gratitude04:39
• Total Runtime38:18

Info for People Moving (Remastered)

Azar Lawrence’s third solo album People Moving was released in 1976 on Prestige Records. The album features Lawrence on tenor, alto and soprano saxophone alongside a group of incredible musicians including Patrice Rushen on electric piano and vocals, Harvey Mason on drums, and Mtume on percussion. Dedicated to the great Charles Stepney, People Moving showcases Lawrence’s versatility as a saxophonist and composer, blending elements of funk, soul, and jazz into a cohesive and engaging musical experience. The album’s title track, “People Moving,” is a funky, up-tempo groove led by Lawrence’s soulful saxophone playing and Jerry Peters’ killer horn arrangement. Notably, this was Skip Scarborough’s first time producing a full album. He would go on to produce for a number of artists including Bobbi Humphery, Con Funk Shun, Phyllis Hyman and more.

Azar Lawrence, saxophone
Paul Jackson, bass
Harvey Mason, drums
John Rowin, guitar
Patrice Rushen, keyboards
Michael Stanton, keyboards
Jerry Peters, keyboards
Skip Scarborough, keyboards, synthesizer
Patrice Rushen, synthesizer
Michael Stanton, synthesizer
Jerry Peters, synthesizer
John Rowin, programming
Lee Ritenour, guitar
Ernie Watts, saxophone
James Mtume, background vocals
Cheryl Barnes, background vocals
Josie James, background vocals
Patrice Rushen, background vocals
Michael Wright, background vocals

Digitally remastered

Azar Lawrence
grew up during an era of prolificacy and transcendence in Jazz music that to this day has stood the test of time. He's composed, produced and performed with acclaimed jazz luminary McCoy Tyner for over five years and Elvin Jones for many years. While very young Azar began playing with many jazz legends and at such an early age his first professional gigs abroad were when he was seventeen with Clarke Terry and Muddy Waters.

It is said that music is of a pure nature all around us and within us as well. This music is from the tones produced by every vibration. Throughout the universe every atom everywhere produces a tone whether we can hear it or not. This is commonly referred to as the music of the spheres. When we as musicians dedicate our lives to a certain daily practice in order to try to produce the purest vibration tones we can often send those tones onto and into others like laser beams. Whether one on one or in groups music can and does cause an uplifting or healing effect. Our vibrations are lifted and we feel better and we are better.

I received this great understandingas inspiration in words of guidance and musical encouragement early on from legendary masters whom I have had the honor and privilege to humbly study, learn from, and perform with all along the way. McCoy Tyner's reply to me when I asked him how could he play with me just having turned 19 years old after being with the incomparable John Coltrane, was “I think you feel the same way about the music that John did."

The great Elvin Jones told me that he thought that I had the "same kind of energy" that Mr. Coltrane had and "that was what was needed from me."

Miles Davis told me when I was asked to join his band in the mid 70's that the reason he wanted me to come aboard was because he "had not heard tenor sax since John Coltrane until me."

This album contains no booklet.