About

Doug Carn made four records for the Black Jazz label, more than any other artist, and each one topped the previous release's lofty standard. Adam's Apple was his last (1974) album for the label, representing the final note in his staggeringly creative crescendo. 

It was also the first record without Jean Carn, but Carn and crew (John Conner and Joyce Greene) don't miss a beat on the vocals. And the band is absolutely sick, featuring reedman Ronnie Laws and fellow Black Jazz recording artist Calvin Keys on guitar, and led by Carn's increasingly electronic forays on various keyboards. 

The result is a record that brings to mind Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, electric Miles, maybe even Earth, Wind, and Fire (Carn covers EW&F's 'Mighty Mighty'), but all overlaid with an uplifting gospel vibe. To quote Pat Thomas' liner notes (which feature extensive quotes from Doug Carn himself), 'Adam's Apple is more energetic, funky, and futuristic than Carn's earlier Black Jazz work. In short, sublime.' — (via Label)

Further distanced in time from John Coltrane's spiritual new-jazz and the influential second Miles Davis quintet, Doug Carn showed a close affinity with R&B when recording his fourth and final Black Jazz album Adam's Apple.

Sharing his interest in R&B was a platoon of committed, resourceful jazz musicians including young star-in-the-making Ronnie Laws, who had worked with Earth, Wind & Fire before that band's big commercial breakthrough. Of the others, ace guitarists Nathan Page and Calvin Keys had acquired intimacy with the soulful properties of African-American music of the time, performing with the premier jazz organist Jimmy Smith.

Musicians include: Gerals Brown (acoustic bass), Darrel Clayborn (Fender bass), Big Black (congas, percussion), Harold Mason (drums), Calvin Keys, Nathan Page (guitar), Doug Carn (keyboards, vocals), Dick Schory, Gene Russell (producer), Ronnie Laws (saxophone), Thurman Green (tambourine), John Conner, and Joyce Greene (vocals).  — (via Forced Exposure)

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Label: Real Gone Music
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
Reissued: 2021 / Original: 1974
Genre: Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Vocals
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