Latin Love Affair
Originally Released On VeryDisco (Discovery) Records
Recorded In Los Angeles, May 1979
This was Conti's first album recorded in May 1979, and released later that year. All the songs are originals that display his ability to write extremely appealing and durable melodies. The album is essentially a combination of Disco and Salsa, with the addition of aggressive jazz solos by Conti, Ray Pizzi and Milcho Leviev. Because of the danceable feel of the music, this album was well received in various sectors of the world.
Solo Guitar
Recorded In Los Angeles, May, 1979. Pending Future Reissue On Pinnacle Records
An interesting story is attached to this album. During the recording of Latin Love Affair,the producers, Albert Marx and Dennis Smith, happened to hear Conti demonstrating his version of a Beatles song to another musician in the studio. Extremely impressed by Conti's solo virtuosity, of which they were apparently unaware, they immediately decided that a solo album was necessary before Conti returned to Florida. However, as the excitement of the project at hand required their attention, they simply failed to tell Conti of their decision to produce another album while he was still in California.
After the mix down of Latin Love Affair was completed, as Conti was in his hotel room preparing to leave for LAX for a red eye flight, Dennis Smith called to discuss the solo album. Conti said jokingly, "What solo album?" The communication mixup became apparent. At that point, Smith asked Conti if he would be willing "...to do a solo album..." on his way to LAX. As the recording studio customarily used by Discovery Records was unavailable that night. Albert Marx was able to procure a studio in Burbank after several phone calls. In addition to this sudden decision to do another album, Albert Marx also decided that Conti should record the album in the Direct-To-Disc medium. As any artist aould agree, this is a pressure cooker type of recording session wherein the artist must record an entire side of music, without any breaks between each song.
The Direct-To-Disc recording process bypasses the traditional master tape, as the artist actually records the "mother" disk that is used to press the copies. This means: If a serious musical error occurred On Track 5, the artist would be required to start another master of that side, starting again from the first track. Now add the pressure of performing solo, and you have a perfect formula for shattered nerves! Under that pressure, Conti performed flawlessly, as the stunning results of his incredible virtuosity on that evening will soon be available on The Pinnacle Records reissue of the original recording. This album displays Conti's ability to create a harmonic palette of exquisite solo renditions of ten timeless standards, including: My Funny Valentine, The Beatles Yesterday, and others.
The Jazz Quintet
Recorded In Los Angeles, March 1981
Originally Released On Discovery Records, Reissued On Pinnacle Records 9901
Conti's third album displays his overwhelming mastery of the jazz guitar in the hard bop jazz idiom. And once again, Conti's skill as a prolific composer becomes evident. Pete Welding, who is one of the most highly respected music critics said it best in a Guitar World magazine story and review: "Make No Mistake, Conti Is A Monster Musician Who's Got It All Covered!"
This outing has Conti performing with an all star rhythm section including: Mike Wofford, Piano; Herman Riley, Saxophones; Jim Plank, Drums; John B. Williams, Bass; As evident when listening to this album, each musician made marked contributions. Conti was especially taken by Mike Wofford's superb rendition of "In Memory Of" a solo piece written by Conti, who states: "Mike Wofford epitomizes the term “Master Musician” His equisite interpretation and performance of that piece of music brought me to tears. When I heard the playback, it was almost a spiritual experience - he played every lilting nuance as if he was in my thoughts when I wrote the music! It was the high point of that recording session!
Note: One week before The Jazz Quintet was recorded in Los Angeles March,1981, Robert Conti also appeared as a guest soloist on Gerald Wilson's "Lomelin, The Orchestra Of The Eighties" which featured an all-star lineup of West coast jazz musicians.
The Living Legends
Released On Discovery Records
Joe Pass/Robert Conti Recorded In Los Angeles, October,1984
There is an interesting story attached to this album.
In October Of 1984, Executive Producer Albert Marx brought Conti to California to produce another solo recording. Conti recorded fifteen songs at Monterey Studios in Glendale on October 22, 1984. In 1969/70, Albert Marx produced a Joe Pass album entitled "Interludes." For reasons unknown to Conti (or anyone else), in the mid part of 1985, Albert Marx chose to eliminate one side of the original "Interludes" album. Albert Marx then contacted Robert Conti in Florida to advise him that he was releasing "The Living Legends," an album which includeed one side of "Interludes" plus the following five songs from Conti's recording session of October 1984: Hello Young Lovers, Stella By Starlight, Little Girl Blue, Nuages, My Romance.
In the early part of 1985, Albert Marx released, "Laura" which embodied ten of the songs from Conti's recording session of October 1984.
In the latter part of 1985, Albert Marx released a Compact Disc entitled: "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" which included All Fifteen songs from the recording session of October 1984
Laura
Released On Trend Records
Recorded In Los Angeles, October,1984.
See story adjacent to "The Living Legends".
Includes, My Favorite Things, Like Someone In Love, People and others
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Released On Trend Records
Recorded In Los Angeles, October,1984.
See story adjacent to "The Living Legends".
Comin' On Strong!
Recorded in Hollywood, California on June 20, 1990. Produced by Otto Gust, originally issued on the Time Is Record Label, and recently reissued on Pinnacle Records 9902.
As evidenced by the rave reviews , this phenomenal album presents another showcase of Conti's virtuosity in the hard bop idiom of jazz, where he sizzles with the support of an all star rhythm section that includes: Pete Jolly - Piano; Andy Simpkins - Bass, Carl Burnett - Drums.
To The Brink!
Featuring Rocco Barbato