Album Liner Notes
Shoogie Wanna Boogie
Shoogie Wanna Boogie is David Matthews working the exact CTI/Kudu crossover zone that made the label so distinctive in the mid-1970s: big arrangements, heavy rhythm sections, pop-source material, and enough studio polish to push jazz-funk toward the dance floor without flattening it.
Overview
What makes this record useful for Jeff's discography is the environment. David Matthews was one of the core arranger-composers in the CTI orbit, so a credit here places Jeff inside a high-level crossover session culture rather than on a small-group blowing date.
The personnel tell the story fast: Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Michael Brecker, Ronnie Cuber, Barry Miles, Don Grolnick, Steve Khan, Anthony Jackson, Andy Newmark, Sue Evans, Patti Austin, Vivian Cherry, and Gwen Guthrie all appear, with strings stacked on top. This is an arranged studio production built to sound large.
It is also one of the more revealing mid-1970s Kudu records because the repertoire is so bluntly audience-facing. Matthews is not hiding behind abstract fusion titles. He is reshaping familiar songs into jazz-funk and disco-adjacent vehicles, which makes the album a strong period piece instead of a generic sideman credit.
Quick Snapshot
- The album was recorded in New York at A&R Recording and Mediasound on March 20-22 and April 17-20, 1976.
- It was produced by Creed Taylor and engineered by Joe Jorgensen, with assistant engineers Liz Saron and Matt Murray.
- The six-track program mixes original material with pop and soul covers including 'My Girl,' 'You Keep Me Hanging On,' 'California Dreaming,' and 'Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)'.
Pure Kudu crossover
The album sits right in the CTI/Kudu lane where jazz-funk, strings, horns, and pop-song reinterpretation all meet.
Studio heavyweights everywhere
The ensemble includes the Breckers, Steve Khan, Don Grolnick, Barry Miles, Anthony Jackson, Andy Newmark, and Patti Austin among others.
Matthews as arranger
David Matthews is not just the nominal artist here. The record makes sense as a statement of his arranging voice.
Listen For
You Keep Me Hanging On
One of the clearest examples of the album's whole approach: familiar material turned into sharp, danceable Kudu jazz-funk.
California Dreaming
Another strong marker for Matthews's crossover instinct, folding a pop standard into the album's string-and-horn architecture.
Just My Imagination
The closing cover seals the point that this album is about reframing recognizable songs through a sophisticated studio ensemble.
Track Listing
- 1. Shoogie Wanna Boogie — 5:38
- 2. My Girl — 5:32
- 3. You Keep Me Hanging On — 6:41
- 4. California Dreaming — 6:26
- 5. Gotta Be Where You Are — 6:58
- 6. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) — 4:57
Musicians
- David Matthews: arrangements, direction
- Jeff Berlin: bass
- Anthony Jackson: electric bass
- Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Burt Collins, Alan Rubin, Joe Shepley: trumpet
- Sam Burtis, Tom Malone, Fred Wesley: trombone
- Dave Taylor: bass trombone
- Jim Buffington, Peter Gordon: French horn
- Joe Farrell: tenor saxophone, alto flute
- Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone
- Ronnie Cuber: baritone saxophone
- Pat Rebillot, Don Grolnick: clavinet
- Ken Ascher: clavinet, electric piano
- Barry Miles: synthesizer
- Jerry Friedman, Steve Khan, John Tropea: guitar
- Andy Newmark: drums
- Carlos Martin, Sue Evans, Nicky Marrero: percussion
- Patti Austin, Vivian Cherry, Gwen Guthrie: background vocals
- Harry Cykman, Max Ellen, Barry Finclair, Paul Gershman, Harry Glickman, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, David Nadien, Max Pollikoff, Matthew Raimondi, Richard Sortomme: violin
- Al Brown, Ted Israel: viola
- Seymour Barab, Jesse Levy, Charles McCracken, Alan Shulman: cello
Technical Credits
- Producer: Creed Taylor
- Engineer: Joe Jorgensen
- Assistant engineers: Liz Saron, Matt Murray
- Recorded at A&R Recording and Mediasound, New York City
- Recording dates: March 20-22 and April 17-20, 1976
- Notes for later CD issues by Steve Futterman and Didier Deutsch
- Cover photo: Pete Turner
- Liner photos: Duane Michals
- Design: Rene Schumacher