Higher Ground is an album by jazz organist Johnny Hammond recorded for the Kudu label in 1973.
Contents
Reception
The Allmusic site awarded the album 2 stars stating "Some of the arrangements seem, well... arranged, but as soon as Smith kicks in, the groove is established".
The song "Big Sur Suite" has been sampled multiple times including The Beastie Boys "Pass the Mic" and Dr. Dre in "A Nigga Wit a Gun".
Track listing
"Catch My Soul" (Jack Good, Tony Joe White) - 7:19
"Summertime/The Ghetto" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward/Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson) - 10:06
"Higher Ground" (Stevie Wonder) - 10:33
"Big Sur Suite" (Johnny "Hammond" Smith) - 9:04
Personnel
Johnny Hammond - organ, electric piano
Wayne Andre, Tony Studd - trombone
Paul Faulise, Alan Raph - bass trombone
Jon Faddis, John Frosk, Alan Rubin - trumpet
Marvin Stamm - trumpet, flugelhorn
Ray Alonge - French horn
Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
Hank Crawford - alto saxophone (track 4)
Eddie Daniels - clarinet
Romeo Penque - alto flute, oboe
Eli Carmen - bassoon
Bob James - electric piano, organ, mellotron, arranger, conductor
George Benson - guitar (tracks 2–4)
Ron Carter - bass, electric bass
Jack DeJohnette (track 4), Steve Gadd (tracks 1–3) - drums
Phil Kraus, Ralph MacDonald - percussion
Production
Creed Taylor - producer
Rudy Van Gelder - engineer