from BACK TO THE BAY
Written by David Foster, Maurice White & Allee Willis
Pete Escovedo is a legendary American percussionist. A former member of the Carlos Santana band, Escovedo is a main figure in the Latin music world. He is also the father of celebrated singer/percussionist and Prince alumni, Sheila E.
In the early seventies, together with his brother Coke, Escovedo led Azteca, a critically-acclaimed Latin-rock band. As Azteca, they released two adventurous records that fused Latin music, rock and jazz. Escovedo eventually recorded a string of solo albums including a couple with his talented daughter, Sheila. In 2018, the revered musician released a cd titled Back To The Bay. That cd presented smooth jazzy/salsa-tinged covers of some of the most sophisticated pop, funk and soul songs of the past few decades. Produced by Escovedo’s son, drummer Peter Michael Escovedo, and featuring a great line-up of musicians, Back To The Bay was total ear candy. There were superb renditions of Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love” with a great vocal by the writer himself, the Michael Jackson classic, “I Can’t Help It” written by Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” with killer vocals courtesy of soul/R&B great, Howard Hewett. The opening track of the cd was a brilliant instrumental take on EWF’s anthem, “In The Stone,” co-written in 1978 by Maurice White, David Foster and Allee Willis for the group’s seminal I Am record.
“In The Stone” is the Song of the Week.
Right after the tune’s trademark intro, Escovedo’s “In The Stone” becomes a brass fiesta with a fantastic horn performance and a catchy salsa rhythm with prominent timbales and various percussions played by the veteran master. This catchy cover and all the others included on Back To The Bay had very sophisticated arrangements and are proof that Escovedo’s superior musicial skills are still intact. His talent can really deliver noteworthy music that makes this man a legend in his own time.
- Timbales & Percussion: Pete Escovedo
- Bass: Marc Van Veningen
- Drums & Percussion: Peter Michael Escovedo
- Guitar: Ray Obiedo
- Keyboards: Bob Crawford & David Kirk Mathews
- Saxophone & Flute: Melecio Magdaluyo
- Trombone: Marty Wehner
- Trumpet: Joel Berhman
- Produced & Arranged by Peter Michael Escovedo
- Co-Produced by Pete Escovedo
Lyrics
No Lyrics