Vinyl Vault — Chico Hamilton, The Master

Jazz drummer Chico Hamilton. Rock band Little Feat. Together on one album. That will be the feature on the next Vinyl Vault. The album was called “Chico, The Master” and was originally released in 1973 on Stax Records. The album features the classic early-period Little Feat lineup minus drummer Richie Hayward. The rest of the band was on hand including Lowell George (improperly credited on the album notes as “George Lowell”) on slide guitar, Paul Barrere on guitar, Bill Payne on piano, Sam Clayton on congas, and Kenny Gradney on bass.

Hamilton and Little Feat were joined by Stu Gardner on organ, Jerry Aiello also on organ, and Simon Nava on congas. Many of the compositions were by Hamilton and others were by other band members such as Gardner.

It’s an all-instrumental album that throws down groove after groove. Be sure to listen to this one on a stereo with good bass response because Gradney, the bass player, is the star of many of the cuts laying down one groove-a-licious bass line after another. When coupled with Hamilton’s prowess on drums and the Feat improvising on the top, the result is undeniable fun.

The album was a tough one to find for many years, but it was specially reissued on Record Store Day in November 2023 and the Vinyl Vault has a copy of its groovy purple-marble vinyl.

Check out Chico Hamilton and Little Feat on the next Vinyl Vault on Tuesday, January 23 at 8:30 pm on KUVO JAZZ.

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