Starcrost was an American jazz-funk/soul band, a mixed-gender six-piece band active mainly in Texas, USA!, that released a self-titled album on Fable Records in 1976.
Starcrost formed in 1975 when vocalist/pianist Liza Farrow and saxophonist/flutist John Mills united through Austin’s jazz scene.
Farrow, a graphic designer who sang with Steam Heat on their 1975 album Austin Funk, connected with Mills, a University of Texas-trained saxophonist who performed with Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin.
Trombonist Mike Mordecai, a local player with Steam Heat and later founder of BBA Management, joined after jam sessions.
Bassist/vocalist Jim Spector and drummer/percussionist Paul Pearcy linked through Farrow’s circle.
Conguero Quincy Jarmon and pianist/guitarist/vocalist David Deaton completed the lineup after local gigs.
The septet performed at Austin clubs, building a following that led to a deal with Fable Records.
They recorded their debut at Odyssey Sound Ltd. in 1975, following a 1975 single, “I’ve Got a Plan” b/w “Getting Going.”
Starcrost released their self-titled album on March 1, 1976, on Fable Records.
The album blends jazz-funk with soulful vocals and Latin-tinged rhythms, recorded by vocalist/pianist Liza Farrow, saxophonist/flutist John Mills (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute), trombonist Mike Mordecai, bassist/vocalist Jim Spector, drummer/percussionist Paul Pearcy, conguero Quincy Jarmon, and pianist/guitarist/vocalist David Deaton.
Mills wrote all eight songs.
Tracks divide into concise vocal-driven cuts and extended instrumental jams.
“False Paradise” and “Funky Little Home” deliver tight horn-vocal interplay, “Catharsis” and “Flow” swing with contoured saxophone lines, “Quicksand” and “Da Ba O” pulse on brisk bass rhythms, “Grandfather Clock” and “Getting Going” stretch into layered horn-keyboard exchanges.
Featuring a stylish crossover sound of soul, funk, jazz, AOR, and fusion, and a free-flowing, mellow female vocal, this is the ultimate groovy soul album that has been highly praised by a wide range of listeners, including not only rare groove fans but also modern soul and AOR fans!
The cover of the album, featuring a swan dancing in a spacey space, is also excellent, unique to the 70s!
Tracklist
1. False Paradise - 2:25
2. Catharsis - 3:52
3. Quicksand - 4:57
4. Grandfather Clock - 8:27
5. Flow - 4:15
6. Getting Going - 5:47
7. Funky Little Home - 3:55
8. Da Ba O - 3:31
Companies, etc.
- Recorded By – Last Minute Productions
- Recorded At – Odyssey Sound Ltd. Austin
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Fable Records
Credits
- Artwork [Back Cover] – Desmond Fletcher
- Artwork [Front Cover] – Ken Featherston
- Bass Guitar, Vocals – Jim Spector
- Congas – Quincy Jarmon (tracks: B1)
- Design, Layout – Jan Lewis
- Design, Layout, Vocals, Piano – Liza Farrow
- Drums, Congas, Percussion – Paul Pearcy
- Engineer – John Ingle (2), Larson Lundahl
- Painting – Mike Morgan, Terry Raines
- Photography By – Damon Ginbey
- Piano, Vocals, Guitar – David Deaton
- Producer – Patrick Rockhill
- Producer, Trombone – Mike Mordecai
Notes
Released: 1976
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Fusion
Runtime: 51:05
Label: Fable Records
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