VA - Inner City Review - Gilles Peterson’s reissue of multi-instrumentalist George Semper’s 1973 private-press soul/R&B LP
“Inner City Review” by George Semper is the latest release to land on Gilles Peterson’s Arc label, the first full re-issue of the songwriter and musician’s ultra rare 1973 compilation. A songwriter and studio musician behind troves of soul, rock and R&B records from the late ‘50s onwards, it shines a fresh light on Semper’s influential behind-the-scenes role. He was the creative force behind Hammond organ classic “Makin’ Waves”, the cult 1977 Bay Area funk record “The Perfect Circle”, and a collaborator with the likes of Donny Hathaway, Jimmy Smith and Brenton Wood. It’s the second release on the “reissues and oddities” imprint launched earlier this year by Peterson. A multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, acclaimed for his innovative funky organ sound, Semper’s Hammond-playing style was an influence on The Doors and The Rolling Stones. His career saw him cross paths with the likes of Charles Stepney, and – as the co-owner of several influential San Diego venues – present Frank Zappa’s first professional show, booking him to open for Little Richard and Jimi Hendrix. An independently-produced and recorded album, in keeping with Semper’s many other small-run private pressed records, Semper used his day-job as a musician to get precious studio time, bagging time in the A&M Hollywood lot for the album’s recording sessions. (At the time, he was playing with Merry Clayton, a singer who – after her solo career declined – became a backing singer and would go on to feature in the 2013 film 20 Feet From Stardom.) An all-killer, rarely heard collection of music, and a document of an important moment in Semper’s career, as he laid the foundations for the independent-minded Inner City Records label, (not to be confused with Irv Kratka’s New York based, Inner City Records), as well as the game-changing Bay Area funk sound that has made “The Perfect Circle” a sought after cult classic. Musicians: David II Majall (Tenor sax); Basey Green (Bass percussion); Orlando “Bad News” White (Drums percussion, vocal background); Tony “Touchdown” Drake (Lead guitar); Virgil Johnson (Trombone, bass); Gary Cardile (Percussion and Special effects); George Walker (Rhythm guitar); Robert “Sweets” Fortson (Background vocals); Jack and James of Native Sun (Trumpet and alto sax respectively); George Semper (Keyboards, alto sax, conductor, tympani, chimes, bell tree, and vocals)
