RODNEY FRANKLIN ** 1978 *** In The Center

Merci a Bubu *** Pass is had70

Wonderful keyboard work from the amazing Rodney Franklin -- a player who sounds equally great on acoustic and electric piano! This album does a wonderful job of mixing them both -- showing Rodney's more sensitive side on a few acoustic numbers, but then really taking off in a much more groove-based mode for the electric ones -- which have a soaring, spacious style that's in that best blend of fusion and soul that was going down at Columbia in the late 70s -- but with some spacier Bob James touches too! Most of the cuts were arranged by Byron Olsen, who's got an equally sensitive ear as Franklin -- and although there's a bit of vocals on the record, most of the focus is on instrumental grooves -- especially Rodney's work on the keys. Titles include the classics "I Like The Music Make It Hot", "Spanish Flight", and "On The Path" -- plus "Yours", "Life Moves On", and the extended "Spring Suite".