Description

Spirit of Elijah – a mostly instrumental album – is the sophomore solo album by the American session musician, composer and producer Fletch Wiley of Sonlight fame (the early ’70s backup band of Andrae Crouch, which morphed into Koinonia in the beginning of the ’80s), released on StarSong Records in 1979. The album was recorded and mixed by Brian Tankersley at Rivendell Sound Recorders in Pasadena, Texas; with Fletch Wiley producing. Featuring future members of Koinonia.

Another instrumental pop/jazz snapshot of the man and his horn (and flute). Mostly originals this time, sometimes with Maynard Ferguson flair. «Martin Luther King, Jr.» opens with a short excerpt of a message from Dr. King. «New Life», «Jesus, El Conquistador», «Joshua» and the title track remind us that disco was a huge influence at the time. Also lightly jazzed versions of «Amazing Grace» and «In The Garden». Soulful backing vocals can be found injecting a few short phrases here and there. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “New Life” – 3:35
A2. “Kid Talk” – 4:30
A3. “Amazing Grace” – 4:56
A4. “Martin Luther King, Jr.” – 4:25
A5. “Jesus, El Conquistador” – 3:38

Side Two
B1. “Spirit Of Elijah” – 5:27
B2. “Past Reflections (On A Life Down Here)” – 3:41
B3. “Joshua” – 4:28
B4. “In The Garden” – 4:06
B5. “Jubilee” – 4:02

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records.

CREDITS. Produced by Fletch Wiley. Recorded and mixed at Rivendell Sound Recorders, Pasadena, Texas, by Brian Tankersley. Additional recording by Bob Singleton at Edenwood Studios, Dallas, Texas. Design by Eron Howell. Photography by Richard Matthews.

Musicians: Fletch Wiley, Doug Dye (Keyboards), Harlan Rogers (Keyboards), Ken Rurick (Keyboards), Bill Harn (Guitar), Hadley Hockensmith (Guitar), Jerry McPherson (Guitar), Bob Parr (Bass), George Anderson (Bass), James Felix (Bass), Bill Maxwell (Drums), Dahrell Norris (Drums), Gary Ingram (Drums), John Harvey (Percussion). Background vocals: B, C & S.