Frank Foster & The Loud Minority Band – Well Water (Piadrum, 2007)

Frank Foster (ts, ss); Sinclair Acey (tr); Charles Sullivan (tr); Don McIntosh (tr); Joe Gardner (tr); Cecil Bridgewater (tr); Leroy Barton (as, fl): C.I. Williams (as, fl); Bill Cody (ts, fl, piccolo); Bill Saxton (ts, ss, fl); Doug Harris (ts, fl); Kenny Rogers (bs); Bill Lowe (tb); Janice Robinson (tb); Charles Stephens (tb); Kiane Zawadi (tb); Mickey Tucker (p); Earl May (b, el b); Elvin Jones (d); Babafumi Akunyun (perc) 

Recorded on October 9 - 10, 1977

This album remained "in the can" and unreleased for thirty years, but it's my favorite recording of Frank Foster's terrific 1970s big band, The Loud Minority.

This band was loaded with great soloists, but the music works perfectly on so many levels.  Check out their version of "Simone," one of Foster's many terrific compositions:

More by Frank Foster's Loud Minority Big Band

All of Foster's work the the Loud Minority Big Band is worth seeking out!  In the 70s, Foster released:

- The Loud Minority (Mainstream, 1972)

- Bursting Out! ‎(Denon, 1978)

- Manhattan Fever (Denon,1978) [Not the same as the Blue Note LP with the same title]

- Shiny Stockings (Denon, 1979)