Leaving This Planet Explained

Leaving This Planet
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Charles Earland
Cover:	Leaving This Planet.jpg
Released:	1974
Recorded:	December 11, 12 & 13, 1973 Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California
Genre:	Jazz-funk^[1]
Length:	78:39
Label:	Prestige PR 66002
Producer:	Charles Earland
Chronology:	Charles Earland
Prev Title:	The Dynamite Brothers
Prev Year:	1973
Next Title:	Kharma
Next Year:	1974

Leaving This Planet is a double album by organist Charles Earland that was recorded in 1973 and released on the Prestige label.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Reception

Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars, stating: "A definite departure from the type of earthy, groove-oriented soul-jazz he usually embraced, Leaving This Planet is perhaps Charles Earland's most ambitious album – not necessarily his best, but certainly his most surprising. Responding to the fusion revolution, Earland plays keyboards and various synthesizers in addition to his usual Hammond B-3 organ and thrives in a very electric setting... he leaves no doubt just how much he's enjoying this surprising change of pace."^[5]

Track listing

All compositions by Charles Earland except as indicated

1. (A1) "Leaving This Planet" – 7:29
2. (A2) "Red Clay" (Freddie Hubbard) – 7:05
3. (A3) "Warp Factor 8" – 6:18
4. (B1) "Brown Eyes" – 11:45
5. (B2) "Asteroid" – 6:40
6. (C1) "Mason's Galaxy" – 7:17
7. (C2) "No Me Esqueca" (Joe Henderson) – 7:41
8. (C3) "Tyner" – 6:03
9. (D1) "Van Jay" – 8:36
10. (D2) "Never Ending Melody" – 9:45

Personnel

• Charles Earland – organ, ARP and Moog synthesizers, clavinet (on track 3), soprano saxophone (on track 8), electric piano (on track 10)
• Eddie Henderson – trumpet (on tracks 1, 4, 6, 8)
• Freddie Hubbard – trumpet, flugelhorn
• Dave Hubbard – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, alto flute
• Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone
• Patrick Gleeson – ARP and Moog synthesizers
• Eddie Arkin (on tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10); Greg Crockett (on track 2); Mark Elf – guitar
• Brian Brake (on tracks 3, 9, 10); Harvey Mason – drums
• Larry Killian – percussion
• Rudy Copeland – vocals (on track 1)

Notes and References

1. Web site: BeatCaffeine's 100 Best Jazz-Funk Songs . https://web.archive.org/web/20180825081205/https://beatcaffeine.com/100-best-jazz-funk-songs/ . Gorton . TJ . BeatCaffeine . July 30, 2018 . August 25, 2018 . September 19, 2021.
2. http://www.jazzdisco.org/prestige-records/catalog-10100-16000-66000-34000-mpp-2500-11000-series/#p-66002 Prestige Records discography
3. http://www.jazzlists.com/SJ_Charles_Earland.htm Jazzlists: Charles Earland discography
4. http://funky16corners.tripod.com/earland_discography.htm Charles Earland discography
5. Henderson, A. Allmusic listing accessed March 11, 2013