picko-d-'s podcast

Largely self-taught in classical music, David Axelrod is best known for his production work at Capitol Records, with Lou Rawls and Cannonball Adderley; the latter who asked specifically for his services. Mr. Axelrod has earned one Grammy with five nominations, and has seven gold records), yet he still he remains curiously obscure. Real jazz enthusiasts might recognize the name from his early West Coast jazz work, such as Harold Land’s The Fox, which was a landmark record that proved that not all West Coast jazz was lightweight. The album was also a big break for Axelrod as a producer, who was previously assigned to crank out a few records for a small label that was basically a tax write-off.

Why are beatheads interested in him? you ask. Well, first of all Axe was fond of drums, plain and simple. From classic, live-room breakbeats (see Songs of Innocence and “Tensity”) to the slicker, studio beats (see Seriously Deep and Gene Ammons), drums were usually more-than-an-integral part of his compositions/productions. Unfortunately, his own albums are fairly pricey and hard to come by, especially the first few, Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, and Earthrot, the former two being based on the poetry of 18th century poet/radical/visionary William Blake . They sound like some funky symphonic soundtrack music with butter breakbeats galore.

Tracklisting.

All songs David Axelrod unless stated otherwise

1. The signs part3
2. Everything counts
3. Pula Yelta - Letta mbulu
4. Sympathy
5. The Warning part4
6. my Family
7. Song of innocence
8. The human abstract
9. The Warnings Part 1
10. The Schoolboy
11. Cast your fate to the wind
12. Oh Freedom / The Auction
13. You're so vain
14. Lifetime monologue - Lou Rawls
15. Holy Tuesday
16. A divine image
17. theme from the Fox - Don Randi