RARE FLORIDA FUSION

FOUNTAINHEAD (Florida, GWP Label, 1970)

  Here is a pretty obscure album from Florida.  They probably got their name from Ayn Rand’s book but that should not deter you from giving them a listen.  If you like late sixties / early seventies progressive big bands in the line of Don Ellis Orchestra or Maynard Ferguson’s MF Horn, you’re in for a treat.  This album is pretty rare and if it wasn’t for Redtelephone66, I’d probably never have had a chance to know about it. 

Fountainhead is a Southern Florida jazz-rock group consisting of Gus Mas (tenor saxophone), Eddie Crane (alto saxophone), Vinnie Tanno (lead trumpet), Phil Gilbert (trumpet), Ken Faulk (trumpet), Dolphe Castellano (piano), Lee Schwartz (drums) and David Glatts (bass).

The album, which only contains four selections, was arranged by Mike Lewis and produced by Teo Macero and includes two Mike Lewis originals (“Orchestration 70″ and “Ballet”) which are the two long tracks, and two covers (“Mac Arthur Park” and “Honky Tonk Woman”).

These guys were seasoned Florida jazz players,  with extensive big band credentials:

• Both trumpet players Phil Gilbert and Vinnie Tanno had played in Stan Kenton Orchestra. 
• Ken Faulk had already played with Buddy Rich and will become a successful studio musician recording with the likes of Jaco Pastorius, Dr John, Barbra Streisand or the Pet Shop Boys.
• Gus Mas a tenor sax, was already active in Miami in the late 50’s and had been a member of Woody Herman’s  Thundering Herd and the Modern Jazz Orchestra (album VSOP #104, 1960)
• Pianist Dolphe Castellano had recorded with Ira Sullivan 

In the Seventies, Vinnie Tanno, Ken Faulk and Mike Lewis rode the Disco Wave and became key members of famous Florida Disco aggregation KC & the Sunshine Band.

Track Listing

1.      Mac Arthur Park

2.      Orchestration 70

3.      Ballet

4.      Honky Tonk Woman

A short but very enjoyable album! With thanks to Leonard at Redtelephone66.