Funk In France: From Paris To Antibes (1969-1970)

From Paris to Antibes (1969-1970) is the first official, previously unissued live recordings of legendary guitarist Grant Green in over a decade. This deluxe 2CD set brings together a collection of recordings of Green captured at the ORTF studios in Paris on October 26, 1969 with bassist Larry Ridley and drummer Don Lamond, also including jazz guitar legend Barney Kessel comping behind Green on the beautiful "I Wish You Love;" plus full concert recordings from June 18 and 20, 1970 at the Antibes Jazz Festival featuring saxophonist Claude Bartee and organist Clarence Palmer, who both played on Green's classic 1969 Blue Note album Carryin' On, and drummer Billy Wilson. The ORTF studio session was taped for a radio broadcast produced by legendary French producer André Francis, and the Antibes recording was taped less than a month before Green's first live release Alive! on Blue Note Records. Both performances showcase Green's early transition to a heavier, funkier sound as he entered the 1970s. This is the first time any of these songs from the Carryin' On and Iron City albums are being made available as live performances and represent his earliest live recording as a leader. The 48-page booklet for Funk in France includes essays by the renowned Blue Note Records discographer, writer and executive producer of this album Michael Cuscuna, along with producer Zev Feldman of Resonance and Pascal Rozat of Ina; interviews with Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno, the legendary organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, Grant Green's eldest son Greg Green (aka Grant Green Jr.) and the organist from the Antibes concerts, Clarence Palmer; plus memorabilia and previously unpublished photos by French photographers Christian Rose and Jean-Pierre Leloir taken at the ORTF studio 104 and Antibes Jazz Festival, as well as jazz photography icon Chuck Stewart.