Written by Harvey Mason & Sally Mason

Harvey Mason Sr. is one of the drum legends of the American soul/jazz scene in the last fifty years. His refined and distinctive playing graces literally hundreds of recordings by a who’s who of artists including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea (1941-2021), Kenny Loggins, George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Miles Davis (1926-1991), John Legend, Larry Carlton, Carole King, Bob James and so many others.

In the early nineties, drummer Mason along with guitar great Lee Ritenour, keyboard legend Bob James and phenomenal bassist Nathan East formed the contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay. The group has so far released fourteen cds with great success and critical acclaim.

Through the years, this remarkable drummer also delivered a string of solo records and, on a couple of occasions, David Foster was among the musicians booked on the sessions. Foster appeared on Mason’s 1977 Funk In A Mason Jar album and its 1979 follow-up, Groovin’ You. On both records, the imminent Hitman played some killer piano and keyboards, but Foster also co-wrote a couple of funky numbers and did some arranging. One of those Mason/Foster co-writes was “Till You Take My Love” which quickly became a club staple. “Till You Take My Love” was reviewed some time ago and can be read in the archives.

This week, the focus is on a soulful mid-tempo from Funk In A Mason Jar called “Freedom Either Way.”

An original by Mason with lyrics by then-wife Sally Mason, “Freedom Either Way” was an elegant composition that could easily be heard on a classic Quincy Jones album in the seventies. The world-class rhythm section included Mason, Foster on piano, the great Louis Johnson (1955-2015) of the Brothers Johnson on bass, Steve Forman on percussion and Jay Graydon on guitar. “Freedom Either Way” was an example of sophisticated soul completely infused in a jazzy arrangement. The legendary Seawind Horns embellished the instrumental track with their trademark sounds arranged by saxman Larry Williams while Jerry Hey delivered some delicious trumpet solo licks. Mason’s vocals weren’t killer, but served the song well. The overall result was total ear-candy.

The charm of “Freedom Either Way” attracted the great Dave Grusin’s attention. Grusin eventually recorded a beautiful instrumental version of “Freedom Either Way” on his 1982 Mountain Dance album.

Listen

• Lead Vocals, Drums, Congas & Percussion: Harvey Mason
• Piano: David Foster
• Bass: Luis Johnson
• Guitar: Jay Graydon
• Percussion: Steve Forman
• Seawind Horns: Jerry Hey, Larry Williams & Kim Hutchcroft

• Rhythm Arranged by Harvey Mason
• Horns Arranged by Larry Williams
• Produced by Harvey Mason

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
You are free, yeah, you don’t belong to me
Be what you have to be, just remember I still love you
I don’t want you to go, no
I really, really you want to stay
But only if you want to be here with me

[Chorus]
Freedom either way, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Freedom either way, yeah, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin

[Verse 2]
If you decide to stay, I want it to be on your own
Knowing that you’re free to choose your stay
Either way, it’s not because I don’t care
I really love havin’ you there
I want what’s best for you, either way

[Chorus]
Freedom еither way, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Freedom еither way, yeah, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Yeah-yeah-yeah, ha…
Freedom either way, yeah, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Freedom either way, yeah, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Yeah, ha-ha-ha…

Between the seventies and the eighties, legendary soul/jazz drummer Harvey Mason was one of the most sought-after session players as well as a successful R&B/fusion solo artist. In those glorious days, Mason played drums on many seminal records including George Benson’s “Breezin,’” Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man,” Bill Withers’ “Hello Like Before” and Kenny Loggins’ “Celebrate Me Home.” The revered drummer often crossed paths with fellow super session guy David Foster who co-wrote songs and played keyboards on his albums.

A couple of those funk anthems, “Till You Take My Love” and “Say It Again,” have become classics in the “rare groove” circle, often played by deejays around the world. Both songs were already reviewed here and can be rediscovered in the archives.

This week, the spotlight illuminates “I’d Still Be There,” an energetic mid-tempo from Mr. Mason’s 1979 Groovin’ You album. He co-wrote the track with keyboard player Onaje Allan Gumbs. Like a good portion of Groovin’ You, “I’d Still Be There” owes its inspiration to Earth, Wind & Fire’s music that was a big thing way back when. Quite unavoidably, the song’s catchy rhythms, powerful horns, falsetto vocals and orchestral strength echo the grandeur of the late Maurice White’s (1941-2016) classic productions. On “I’d Still Be There,” the future Hitman appeared playing electric and acoustic piano along with his Airplay pal Jay Graydon, Wah Wah Watson on guitar, Sheila Escovedo, a.k.a. Sheila E, on congas and Jerry Hey playing and arranging the dazzling horns. Mason, obviously on drums, handled the lead vocals with his younger brother Kenny who also played trumpet.

In the early nineties, after the end of his session man days, Mason started the renowned jazz/fusion supergroup Fourplay with three other music giants; Lee Ritenour on guitar, Nathan East on bass and Bob James on piano. Fourplay released fourteen cds, always topping the Contemporary Jazz charts. They still perform to sold-out audience all over the world. Mason’s last solo cd, Chameleon, was out in 2014 and was another journey among the most refined jazz/funk music made by one of the best musicians of that genre.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Harvey-Mason-Id-Still-Be-There.mp3|titles=Id Still Be There|artists=Harvey Mason & Kenny Mason]

Lead Vocals: Harvey Mason & Kenny Mason
Drums Cowbell, Bells, Tambourine & Timpani: Harvey Mason
Electric & Acoustic Piano: David Foster
Congas: Sheila Escovedo
Bass: Mike Porcaro
Guitar: Jay Graydon & Melvin “Wah Wah” Watson
Trumpets & Flugelhorn: Chuck Findley, Jerry Hey, Kenny Mason, Steve Madaio
Woodwind: Gary Herbig
Trombone: Lew McCreary & Slyde Hyde

Rhythm Arrangement by Harvey Mason
Strings Arrangement by Gene Page
Horns Arrangement by Jerry Hey

Produced by Harvey Mason
Associate Producer: Kenny Mason

Lyrics

No Lyrics

written by Lee Ritenour, Eric Tagg & Bill Champlin

In 1981, the legendary jazz/fusion guitarist Lee Ritenour released “Rit,” a collection that saw him resolutely pushing towards radio friendly, pop/r&b material. The result was an artistic and commercial success thanks to Ritenour’s superior artistry and his knack to pick the right partners in crime for his adventure. He enlisted his old session mates David Foster and Harvey Mason to support him in the producer’s seat and brought into the spotlight the fresh, new talent of Eric Tagg. Tagg would play a key role on “Rit” with his co-writing and singing talent displayed on the bulk of the album. Bill Champlin provided killer vocal harmonies while the LA session scene cream of the crop crafted the instrumental parts.

This collection presented a mix of Toto-influenced rock, refined pop’n’roll a-la Boz Scaggs and r&b/funk in the best Earth, Wind & Fire vein. Foster produced a couple of pivotal moments including the opener “Mr. Briefcase,” a catchy pop/rock up-tempo that perfectly sets the album’s atmosphere and the gorgeous ballad “No Sympathy.” Both songs were written by Tagg and were shining examples of the best quality pop of that era. For those interested you can find both songs reviewed in our archives. The “Rit” album became a multi-format seller reaching #4 on the Jazz chart, #20 on the R&B chart and #26 on Billboard’s Top 200.

“Rit” also scored a Top 15 hit with “Is It You?,” a single on Billboard’s Hot 100 that showcased Ritenour’s slick sound. Co-written by Ritenour with Tagg and Champlin, “Is It You?” is a smooth, EWF-inspired jam that also climbed to #27 on the R&B chart. Produced by Mason and Ritenour, “Is It You?” sports a beautiful melody and a memorable refrain with killer performances by its three co-writers, Foster and the late Richard Tee on keyboards plus Jerry Hey sweet punctuation with the trumpet.

Listening to the ear-candy melody and top notch atmospheres of “Is It You?,” we long for the days when real music like this was in rotation on radios and could surge to the top of the music charts. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, yet you can still rediscover gems of this caliber and share their beauty with new generations.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/is_it_you.mp3|titles=Is It You?|artists=Eric Tagg]

Lead Vocals: Eric Tagg
Harmony Vocals: Bill Champlin
Guitar: Lee Ritenour
Bass: Abraham Laboriel
Keyboards: David Foster & Richard Tee
Drums: Harvey Mason
Percussion: Alex Acuna
Trumpet: Jerry Hey

Produced by Harvey Mason & Lee Ritenour

Lyrics

Someone’s just outside, knocking at my door
A stranger, somebody unknown
Someone’s in my dreams, can’t get it off my mind yeah
I’m tired of being alone
Someone’s trying to find an easy way inside
Come on, I’m right here at home, right at home

Is it you?
Is it you?
Is it you?
Is it you?

Who’s that deep inside me, sneaking around my heart?
Are you somebody in love?
Show me what you’re doing and tell me who you are
Hey! I’m ready for love, for love.

Is it you?
Is it you?
Is it you?
Is it you?

If it’s you, come out in the open
You don’t need to hide your love
If it’s you, you know I’m hoping
‘Cause it’s way too late to run away
Don’t run away from love, my love
Is it you?

[Instrumental]

Is it you, knocking at my door?
Is it my imagination?
Is it you, I can’t get off my mind?
Is it you, you, you?
Is it you, sneaking around my heart?
Is it my imagination?
Is it you, I can’t get off my mind?
You, you, you?

written by Sting

Released in 1993, Dionne Warwick’s “Friends Can Be Lovers” is surely the best record of that decade for the veteran songbird. For this project, the singer’s label, Arista Records, brought in big names like Diane Warren, Lisa Stansfield, Siedah Garrett and Barry J. Eastmond to write and produce on the album.

Her old partner, Burt Bacharach, also made an appearance to co-write with Hal David and produce the classic ballad opening number “Sunny Weather Lover.” There was also a duet with the late Whitney Houston entitled “ Love Will Find A Way ” and a reworking of one of Sting’s most beloved songs, “Fragile.”

Arranged by David Foster, “Fragile” was reinvented from a Latin-tinged tune to an elegant adult contemporary ballad. “Fragile” is an all-star affair with the presence of the late Luther Vandross who sang and arranged the backing vocals, jazz pianist Bob James who wrote the string arrangement and renowned drummer Harvey Mason who produced the track. Warwick ‘s warm and familiar voice owns the song with refined back-up session aces including Freddy Washington, David Williams and Randy Kerber. The work of music giants Foster, Mason and Vandross obviously gave the song a top-notch quality in terms of execution, arrangement and production.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/fragile.mp3|titles=Fragile|artists=Dionne Warwick]

Lead Vocals : Dionne Warwick
Acoustic Piano & Rhodes : Randy Kerber
Electric Bass : Freddie Washington
Keyboards : Harvey Mason
Guitar : David Williams
Synthesizer & Percussion Programming : Harvey Mason
Background Vocals : Luther Vandross, Lisa Fischer, Tawatha Agee,
Darlene Love, Brenda King, Dionne Warwick.

Rhythm Arrangement by David Foster & Harvey Mason
Strings Arrangement by Bob James
Background Vocals Arrangement by Luther Vandross
Produced by Harvey Mason

Lyrics

If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the color of the evening sun
Tomorrow’s rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay

Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime’s argument
That nothing comes from violence
and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are
How fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are
How fragile we are

written by Skip Scarborough

“Can’t Hide Love” is an extraordinary funk/soul slow jam written by the late Skip Scarborough. A gifted songwriter, Scarborough also gave us timeless gems like “Don’t Ask My Neighbors,” “Love Ballad” and “Lovely Day.” “Can’t Hide Love” was originally included on Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1975 album “Gratitude.”Thanks to the song’s fascinating melody and jazzy structure, it was perfectly delivered by EWF’s impeccable music machine. “Can’t Hide Love” has become a standard and has attracted a who’s who of singers and musicians who performed it live and on records.

One of the first and most impressive covers was delivered in 1976 by TV personality Jaye P. Morgan on her self-titled album. The album was produced by an up-and-coming music-maker named David Foster. Foster was just starting his career, but his talent was already in full bloom and his fantastic arrangement for “Can’t Hide Love” is clear evidence. His approach was respectful of EWF’s original, but took the song in a slightly different direction. Foster emphasizing the jazzy/funk feel with the help of giants like Harvey Mason on drums, Ray Parker, Jr. on guitar and the fantastic Tower Of Power horns. In particular, check out Lenny Pickett’s work on lyricon plus the gritty backing vocals of Bill Champlin and Donny Gerrard. Foster also did a terrific job on keyboards and arranged the lush strings and horns. Jaye P. Morgan did a good job with her husky vocal. The potential of this song and the whole “Jaye P. Morgan” album helped spread Foster’s name around as the new whiz kid in town even though the album did nothing on the charts.

Years later, I was very interested that Foster recorded another great cover of “Can’t Hide Love” for Dionne Warwick with his buddy Jay Graydon producing. This version was obviously the musical child of Morgan’s 1976 take. Take a listen. This is truly fantastic music.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/can_t_hide_love.mp3|titles=Can’t Hide LOve|artists=Jaye P. Morgan]

Lead Vocals: Jaye P. Morgan
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Guitar & Synth Programming: Jay Graydon
Guitar: Ray Parker, Jr.
Bass: Henry Davis
Drums: Harvey Mason
Horns: Tower Of Power
Trumpet & Trombone: Mic Gillette
Trumpet: Greg Adams
Baritone Sax: Stephen “Doc” Kupka
Tenor Sax: Emilio Castillo
Lyricon, Tenor & Alto Sax: Lenny Pickett
Backing Vocals: Bill Champlin & Donny Gerrard

Strings & Horns Arranged by David Foster
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

You want my love and you can’t deny
you know it’s true, but you try to hide, yeah
You turn down love like it’s really bad, ow
You can’t give what you never had, yeah
Well bless your soul, you can fool a few,
I know the truth now so do you, how how

(You can’t hide, I betcha, hoo,)
Betcha
(Betcha)
Can’t hide love, can’t hide love, well I betcha
I betcha)
I can’t hide, yeah
(feel inside)

You can’t pretend there’s nothing there
I look in your eyes, I see you care
So why not stop trying to run and hide
You won’t find out, if you never try,

(You want my love, I betcha,)
Ooooo, yeah, whoa oh whoa
(Hoo, Betcha)

You want my love, well I betcha
(And I betcha)
Whoa oh whoa, I’ve a feeling inside
(feel inside)

Love has found the time for kissing, yeah
can you find the time to listen
Life’s found the time to want you, yeah
can you find the time for blissing, yeah, how, how.