Phil Upchurch
Phil Upchurch was an acclaimed American guitarist and bassist known for his versatile work across jazz, blues, R&B, and soul. Born on July 19, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, he passed away on November 23, 2025, at age 84 in Los Angeles.
Upchurch started playing professionally as a teenager in the mid-1950s, backing R&B groups like The Kool Gents, The Dells, and The Spaniels. His breakout hit came in 1961 with the Phil Upchurch Combo's instrumental "You Can't Sit Down," which reached the U.S. Top 30 and later the UK Top 40.
He became a prolific session musician, recording with artists such as Curtis Mayfield, Muddy Waters, Etta James, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Dizzy Gillespie, Donny Hathaway, Chaka Khan, and Michael Jackson on tracks like "I'm Every Woman" and "Workin' Day and Night." In the 1970s, he partnered with keyboardist Tennyson Stephens and contributed to The Rotary Connection's "I Am the Black Gold of the Sun."
Upchurch served in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967, toured with The Staple Singers, and released albums like Upchurch and The Way I Feel on Chess Records in 1969. He remained active into his later career, designing a signature D’Angelico guitar.
Phil Upchurch
Arranged By – John Tropea
Written-By – Shuggie Otis 5:12
A2 Free
Arranged By – John Tropea
Written-By – June Williams, Henry Reed, Nathan Watts, S. Greene 5:25
A3 Good Times
Arranged By – Leon Pendarvis
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble-Leon Huff 4:07
A4 Church Street Music
Arranged By – Leon Pendarvis
Written-By – John Tropea, Leon Pendarvis 6:30
B1 It's Almost Five
Written-By – Phil Upchurch 4:47
B2 Foolin' Around
Written-By – Phil Upchurch 3:36
B3 Cyrenna
Written-By – Phil Upchurch 5:30
Label: Marlin – MARLIN 2209
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk
Style: Jazz-Funk
Phil Upchurch’s 1978 self-titled album is widely regarded as one of the finest moments in the guitarist's long career. Moving away from the heavy fuzz tones found on some of his earlier work, this release highlights his deep melodic sensibilities and sophisticated jazz-funk style.
Critics describe the album as a sleek, "late-night" collection of jazz-funk and soulful fusion. It is noted for its polished production by John Tropea and its clean, sensual guitar lines.
Upchurch showcases a "chromatic lyricism" in his soloing, blending traditional jazz chops with the rhythmic drive of R&B and funk.The album currently holds a high user rating of 4.71 / 5 on platforms like Discogs.
Standout Tracks
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'": Frequently cited as a masterpiece of soulful interpretation, challenging vocal versions of the song with its emotive guitar work.
"Strawberry Letter #23": A deeply funky instrumental cover of the Shuggie Otis classic.
"Church Street Station": Noted for its "slow crawling stomp" and gritty, soulful feel.
"Another Funky Tune": Considered an Upchurch standard that defines his mid-to-late 70s sound.
"Sitar Soul": Highlights the use of sparse horn and string arrangements to frame Upchurch’s more adventurous soloing.
The album features a sophisticated backdrop where strings and horns are used selectively, often taking a backseat to keyboard-driven rhythms in up-tempo numbers like "Washing Machine". This allows Upchurch to shift seamlessly from clean, lyrical lines to "wah-wah saturated overdrive".
It's considered a sweet, soulful jazz-fusion set that balances tight grooves with cool guitar lines, making it a highlight in Upchurch's extensive career as a versatile session musician and artist.