| Friends & Strangers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1977 | |||
| Recorded | January–March 1977 | |||
| Studio | ABC, Los Angeles, California | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 40:50 | |||
| Label | Blue Note | |||
| Producer | Wayne Henderson | |||
| Ronnie Laws chronology | ||||
| ||||
Friends & Strangers is the third album by American saxophonist Ronnie Laws, recorded in 1976-1977 and released on the Blue Note label. [1] [2] The album was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of over 500,000 copies.
The AllMusic review by Ed Hogan stated that "saxophonist Ronnie Laws' Friends and Strangers LP showcases his skilled chops on up-tempo and mellow tunes". [3]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [4] |
Ronald Wayne Laws is an American jazz and smooth jazz saxophonist, and singer. He is the younger brother of jazz flutist Hubert Laws, jazz vocalist Eloise Laws and the older brother of Debra Laws.
Larry Dunn is an American keyboardist, producer and musical director. He was one of the early members of the music group Earth, Wind & Fire. Dunn was later inducted, as a former band member, into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Within which he's also been bestowed with ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, 7 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Dunn is a co-composer of EWF's "Shining Star", a song that's been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Three or Four Shades of Blues is a studio album by the American jazz bassist and bandleader Charles Mingus. It was recorded in sessions held on March 9 and 11, 1977, at New York City's Atlantic Studios, and on March 29 at the Record Plant in Los Angeles. The album features two new versions of Mingus's "standards" and three new compositions performed by large ensembles featuring saxophonists Ricky Ford, George Coleman, and Sonny Fortune, pianist Jimmy Rowles, guitarists Larry Coryell, Philip Catherine and John Scofield, bassists Ron Carter and George Mraz, trumpeter Jack Walrath, and drummer Dannie Richmond.
Third Season is an album by the jazz tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley recorded on February 24, 1967, but not released on the Blue Note label until 1980 as LT 1081. It contains performances by Mobley with trumpeter Lee Morgan, alto saxophonist James Spaulding, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker, drummer Billy Higgins, and guitarist Sonny Greenwich.
Thinking of Home is an album by American jazz saxophonist Hank Mobley, recorded on July 31, 1970, but not released by Blue Note until 1980. The sextet features trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist Cedar Walton, guitarist Eddie Diehl, bassist Mickey Bass, and drummer Leroy Williams. This was Mobley's 26th recording for Blue Note.
Tender Moments is the eighth album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner and his second released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded in December 1967 and features performances by Tyner with an expanded group featuring trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Julian Priester, French horn player Bob Northern, tuba player Howard Johnson, alto saxophonist James Spaulding, tenor saxophonist Bennie Maupin, bassist Herbie Lewis and drummer Joe Chambers.
Expansions is the tenth album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner and his fourth released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded in August 1968 and features performances by Tyner with trumpeter Woody Shaw, alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter, bassist Herbie Lewis and drummer Freddie Waits.
Extensions is the eleventh album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded on February 9, 1970, but not released until January 1973. It has performances by Tyner with alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Elvin Jones, and features Alice Coltrane playing harp on three of the four tracks.
Mr. Natural is the twelfth album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, recorded for the Blue Note label in 1964 but not released until 1980 as LT 1075, and performed by Turrentine with Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner, Bob Cranshaw, Elvin Jones and Ray Barretto.
Destination... Out! is an album by American saxophonist Jackie McLean recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label. It is the second McLean album to feature Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone and Grachan Moncur III on trombone. The rhythm section is completed by bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Roy Haynes.
Contours is the second album by American saxophonist Sam Rivers recorded in 1965 and released on the Blue Note label. The CD reissue contains an alternate take as a bonus track.
Mother Ship is an album by American organist Larry Young, recorded in 1969 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1980.
Pressure Sensitive is the debut album by American saxophonist Ronnie Laws released in 1975 by Blue Note. The album reached No. 25 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.
Fever is the second album of American saxophonist Ronnie Laws released in 1976 by Blue Note Records. The album reached No. 13 on the Billboard Top Soul LPs chart.
Brother Jug! is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label. It contains material from the same two dates as The Boss Is Back! (1969).
Gene Ammons and Friends at Montreux is a live album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1973 and released on the Prestige label.
Gypsy Folk Tales is an album by drummer Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers recorded in 1977 and released on the Roulette label.
Lee Konitz Nonet is an album by American jazz saxophonist Lee Konitz recorded in 1977 and released on the Chiaroscuro label.
Tequila Mockingbird is an album by the American jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, released in 1977 on Columbia Records. The album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
Solid Ground is the sixth studio album by American saxophonist Ronnie Laws released in 1981 by Liberty Records. The album reached No. 17 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.
