Phil Upchurch - Darkness, Darkness (1972)

Another under-appreciated guitarist, Phil Upchurch recorded the double-album "Darkness, Darkness" soon after arriving in Los Angeles in 1971 from Chicago, where he had worked as prime sideman with both Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. Upchurch signed with Blue Thumb Records at around the same time as The Crusaders and Arthur Adams joined the label, and it would appear that there was a general "love-in" between stable-mates; "Darkness, Darkness" featured members of The Crusaders, along with Adams (there would be continued cross pollination amongst this group of performers over the next several years). Donny Hathaway also participated on this album, playing electric piano on two tracks. Upchurch's output had a more laid back, mellow, mainstream jazz feel than that of his Blue Thumb label mates, but he could funk it up when he wanted to. Most of the songs on "Darkness, Darkness" are covers, with two originals. Highlights are the covers of "Cold Sweat" by James Brown, andMarvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues."

Info. from Discogs:

Darkness, Darkness

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Arthur Adams - It's Private Tonight (1972)

Arthur Adams is perhaps one of the best jazz/blues guitarists no-one has heard of. He picked up guitar in his teens in Medon, Tennessee, and he started playing blues professionally when he moved to Nashville to attend university. Through the 60's he played back up to numerous musical luminaries, including Lightnin' Hopkins, Buddy Guy and Chuck Berry while living in Dallas in the first half of the decade, and then, after moving to Los Angeles, the Jackson 5, Willie Hutch, Kim Weston, Phil Spector and others. "It's Private Tonight" was Adams' debut solo album. It featured the single of the same title, released 3 years earlier and a regional hit. Backing artists included Phil Upchurch (another guitarist deserving of more attention), and Joe Sample and Wilton Felder, both members of the Crusaders (whom Adams would go on to support on several albums through the mid 70's). The album shares much stylistically with the Crusaders work of that time, with a funky jazz feel, but more emphasis on Adams' bluesy guitar and vocals.

Album info. here:

It's Private Tonight