I Am Music (Carmen McRae album) explained

I Am Music
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Carmen McRae
Cover:	I Am Music (Carmen McRae album).png
Border:	yes
Recorded:	April 1975^[1]
Studio:	United Western Recorders, Los Angeles
Length:	43:39
Label:	Blue Note
Producer:	Roger Kellaway
Prev Title:	Live and Doin' It
Prev Year:	1974
Next Title:	Velvet Soul
Next Year:	1975

I Am Music is a studio album by American singer Carmen McRae, released in 1975. It was her first release on the new Blue Note Records label.^[2] The album was produced by Roger Kellaway.

Critical reception

In a review by Billboard magazine, they wrote that producer Roger Kellaway paid tribute to McRae's ability to handle words with warmth and radiance, as well as Carmen touches nerve endings and sparkles in a program of songs that people need.^[3] The Cash Box reviewer noted: "Carmen McRae s voice is the voice of a dozen musical worlds. Her vocals flow as the tide, in and out of music of ease and simple thoughts. On I Am Music it is these vocals, when combined with a lilting instrumental backing, that add up to an all together enjoyable listen."^[4] A retrospective review by Music Week magazine called the album a "rare gem" and also stated that "the exquisite phrasing and timing provided the perfect backdrop for a collection of original songs."^[5]

Track listing

1. "A Letter for Anna-Lee" (Bernard Ighner) – 5:01
2. "The Trouble with Hello Is Goodbye" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Dave Grusin) – 3:45
3. "Faraway Forever" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Quincy Jones) – 3:21
4. "I Ain't Here" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) – 3:28
5. "You Know Who You Are" (Bernard Ighner) – 5:19
6. "I Have the Feeling I've Been Here Before" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Roger Kellaway) – 5:56
7. "Who Gave You Permission" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Billy Goldenberg) – 3:14
8. "Like a Lover" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Dori Caymmi, Nelson Motta) – 5:57
9. "I Never Lied to You" (Gelsa Palao) – 3:19
10. "I Am Music" (Gelsa Palao) – 4:19

Personnel

• Carmen McRae – vocals
• Dave Grusin – arrangement, orchestration, conductor (1), electric piano (1, 8), synthesizer (1, 8)
• Roger Kellaway – arrangement, orchestration, conductor (2–6, 9, 10), piano (4, 5), producer
• Byron Olson – arrangement, orchestration, conductor (7)
• The Morgan Ames Singers – backing vocals
• John Gianelli – bass guitar
• Ed Lustgarten – cello
• Spider Webb – drums (1, 8)
• John Guerin – drums (2–7, 9, 10)
• George Butler – executive producer
• Dennis Budimir – guitar
• Frank Collett – keyboards
• Wally Traugott – mastering
• Emil Richards – percussion
• Ian Underwood – programming
• Matt Hyde – recording, mixing
• Alan Harshman – viola
• Erno Neufeld – violin
• Gerri Vinci – violin

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.^[6]

Charts

Chart (1975)! scope="col"

Peak position
US Best Selling Jazz LP's (Billboard)^[7]	22
US Soul LP's (Billboard)^[8]	56

Notes and References

1. Web site: Carmen McRae The 1970's. Jazz Discography. August 22, 2006. October 17, 2024.
2. Blue Note's Odd Jazz Mix. Billboard. New York. Billboard Publications Inc.. August 9, 1975. 87. 37. 32. 0006-2510.
3. Top Albums Picks. Billboard. New York. Billboard Publications Inc.. July 25, 1975. 87. 30. 84. 0006-2510.
4. Album Reviews. Cash Box. July 26, 1975. 37. 10. 24. New York. The Cash Box Publishing Co. Inc.. 0008-7289.
5. New Reissues / Catalog Albums. Music Week. February 1, 2013. 47. 0265-1548.
6. I Am Music. Carmen McRae. 1975. liner notes. Blue Note Records. BN-LA462-G. US.
7. Best Selling Jazz LP’s. Billboard. New York. Billboard Publications Inc.. September 13, 1975. 87. 37. 33. 0006-2510.
8. Web site: Carmen McRae: Charts & Awards. AllMusic. October 17, 2024.