Harvey Mason
Harvey Mason is an acclaimed American jazz drummer, producer, and composer known for his versatile session work and founding role in the smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay. Born on February 22, 1947, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he developed a passion for drumming early, practicing on a pad and joining school bands by eighth grade.
Mason honed his skills at Atlantic City High School, studying piano and leading a jazz trio, before gigging with pianist James Booker. He attended Berklee College of Music for a year and a half, studying under Alan Dawson, then transferred to the New England Conservatory of Music on a full scholarship, earning a B.A. in Education and Performance in 1970.
After graduation, Mason toured with Errol Garner and George Shearing, then relocated to Los Angeles, working percussion alongside Emil Richards and Larry Bunker. His breakthrough came in 1972 on Donald Byrd's Black Byrd, followed by joining Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, where his "Mase Magic" elevated tracks.
Mason signed with Arista in 1976, releasing albums like Funk in a Mason Jar (1977) and earning five Grammy nominations. He produced Seawind, Midnight Star's debut, and Lee Ritenour's hit "Is It You," while releasing hits like "Groovin' You" in 1979.
In 1986, Mason co-founded Fourplay with Bob James, Nathan East, and Lee Ritenour (later Larry Carlton), topping Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart for 34 weeks with their debut and earning platinum status, gold albums, and Grammy nods. Later highlights include the 2004 trio album With All My Heart, featuring pianists like Hank Jones, which won Japan's Silver Disc Award.
Funk In A Mason Jar
A2 Till You Take My Love (David Foster, Harvey Mason 3:30)
A3 Space Cadets (Dave Grusin, Harvey Mason, Louis Johnson, Ray Parker 3:32)
A4 Freedom Either Way (Harvey Mason, S. Mason 3:30)
A5 Funk In A Mason Jar (Harvey Mason 1:50
B1 What's Going On? (Alfred Cleveland, Marvin Gaye, Renaldo Benson 8:23)
B2 Set It Free (Eva Ein, Kenny Loggins 5:49
B3 Phantazia (Dave Grusin 4:25)
B4 Liquid (Harvey Mason 4:37)
Label: Arista – AB 4157
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Funk in a Mason Jar is a 1977 jazz-funk album by drummer and composer Harvey Mason. The album is known for its blend of funk, disco, and soul, and it features Mason's original compositions alongside a notable, extended instrumental rendition of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" with George Benson on guitar. The album's commercial success was significant, reaching the Top 40 on the R&B charts and the Top 10 on the jazz charts.
The album features a wide array of acclaimed guest musicians, including members of Earth, Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, and other prominent session players.
The album marked a commercial breakthrough for Mason, solidifying his reputation as a skilled composer and producer in addition to being a renowned drummer. It is considered a classic of the 1970s jazz-funk era.
Groovin' You
Composed By – Harvey Mason, Onaje
3:48
A2 Groovin' You
Written By [Lyrics] – Kenny Mason, Sally Mason
5:53
A3 The Race
Written By – Harvey Mason
3:18
A4 We Can
Composed By – Bunny Hull, Charles Veal Jr.
5:11
A5 Never Give You Up
Composed By – Harvey Mason, Kenny Mason
3:48
B1 Say It Again
Composed By – David Foster, Harvey Mason
5:05
B2 Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Arranged By, Composed By – Bill Meyers
4:23
B3 Wave
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
6:23
B4 Kauai
Composed By – Harvey Mason
5:06
Label: Arista – ARTY 166
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
The Essential Harvey Mason
2. We Can Start Tonight 04:16
3. Till You Take My Love 03:36
4. The Mase 04:10
5. Pack Up Your Bags 05:08
6. Sho Nuff Groove 03:56
7. Space Cadets 03:33
8. How Does It Feel 04:16
9. Say It Again 04:59
10. Going Through The Motions 03:49
11. On and On 05:00
12. Never Give You Up 03:45
13. We Can 05:09
14. Spell 03:57
15. Freedom Either Way 03:34
16. Funk In A Mason Jar 01:53
17. The Race 03:18
18. Universal Rhyme 03:28
19. When I'm With You (Live) 04:24
20. Marching In The Street 06:35
21. K.Y. And The Cur 04:56
22. Wild Rice 06:38
23. Wave 06:18
24. Modaji 06:51
25. Liquid 04:37 26. First Summer 06:09
27. Ballad For Heather 07:01
28. What's Going On? 08:21
29. Earthmover Prelude 00:57
30. Bertha Baptist 05:44
31. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow 04:18
32. Building Love (Hymn) 03:43
33. Set It Free 05:48
34. First Summer 06:09
This compilation (P) 2017 Arista Records LLC
Genre: R&B Jazz-Funk, Disco, Soul