Leon Thomas was the definitive jazz vocalist of the
1970s and his albums for Flying Dutchman are all
classics.
" Although he started his career in Count Basie's band in
the early 60s, by the latter part of the decade he had
become an essential part of
saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders' group, alongside Lonnie
Liston Smith, and co-wrote 'The Creator Has A Master
Plan' for the album "Thembi". The success of this
album led to him being offered a deal with Bob Thiele's
new Flying Dutchman label where he recorded five
studio albums.
" "Full Circle" was his final album for the label and was
recorded as Thomas was being asked to join Santana,
and as such it is apt that he covers Santana's 'Just In
Time To See The Sun', turning it into a spiritual jazz
classic. Elsewhere there are Motown covers such as a
wonderful 'Got To Be There' but it's the jazzy tour-deforces such as 'It's My Life I'm Fighting For' and
'Balance Of Life (Peace Of Mind) that have kept the
demand high for this record. The musicians who back
Thomas on this album include Bernard Purdie, Joe
Farrell, Joe Beck, Jimmy Owens and Pee Wee Ellis.
" Thomas' career never really found itself on a firm
footing again and only one more studio album followed
- 1988's reunion with Thiele and Purdie for "The Leon
Thomas Blues Band" - meaning that "Full Circle" was
the final album from him as a contemporary singer.
" This reissue is mastered from the highest quality
transfers from the original master tapes.
