B. Baker Chocolate Co. -

B. Baker Chocolate Co. was an American jazz-funk supergroup that released a 1979 self-titled album on the Lester Radio Corporation label. The project was arranged by composer/conductor Brad Baker with assorted LRC talent, including guitarist Jimmy Ponder and organists Lonnie Smith and Jimmy McGriff.

Members: Brad Baker (arranger), Jimmy Ponder (guitar), Lonnie Smith (organ), Jimmy McGriff (organ), Eddie Daniels (saxophone), George Young (saxophone), Sherry Winston (flute)

Background

Brad Baker assembled B. Baker Chocolate Co. in New York after a run of projects under LRC founder Sonny Lester, including 1978 titles by Jimmy Ponder (Seven Minds) and Jimmy McGriff (Outside Looking In).

Baker’s recurring studio circle linked him with percussionist Jimmy Maelen, bassist Bob Babbitt, guitarist Lance Quinn, and reed players Eddie Daniels and George Young. Lester assigned the project an LRC album slot under the B. Baker Chocolate Co. name.

B. Baker Chocolate Co.

B. Baker Chocolate Co. released their singular album in early 1979 on Lester Radio Corporation.

The album presents six disco-funk pieces arranged by Baker and Quinn. They oversee five originals and a medley that merges the Jackie Wilson classic “Higher and Higher” with an update of the 1954 movie theme “The High and the Mighty.”

Chocolate Co. uses more than thirty players, including Ponder, Smith, McGriff, Daniels, Young, and flutist Sherry Winston. Select tracks feature singers Gene Scott (“Dreamer”) and Lew Kirton (“It’s Where You’re Coming From”).

“Snow Blower” cruises on medium-up rhythm, with Ponder’s licks threaded through a contoured theme and dance-floor slide. “Carousel” glides through glassy electric tones with relaxed lounge poise. “Dreamer” simmers at medium pace, with Gene Scott’s expressive lead over McGriff’s organ. “Spirit Level” rides Baker–Quinn charts with soloists on blast. “Higher and Higher” turns familiar source material into a dance medley that spotlight Daniels alto sax. “It’s Where You’re Coming From” pairs Kirton with McGriff in a soul-side ensemble setting.

A1. “Snow Blower” (6:45) – Brad Baker–Lance Quinn
A2. “Carousel” (5:35) – Brad Baker–Lance Quinn
A3. “Dreamer” (4:57) – Lonnie Smith

B1. “Spirit Level” (6:14) – Brad Baker–Lance Quinn
B2. “Higher and Higher / The High and the Mighty” (5:35) – Carl Smith–Raynard Miner–Gary Jackson / Dimitri Tiomkin–Ned Washington
B3. “It’s Where You’re Coming From” (5:14) – Jerry Friedman–Brad Baker–Don Oriolo

Sessions occurred in New York City circa 1979 with producer Sonny Lester, the recording-engineer trio of Tony Bongiovi, Bob Clearmountain, and Don Berman, and remix engineer W.G. Scheniman. The same engineer trio also appears on the 1978 Jimmy McGriff LRC album Outside Looking In. Sterling Sound mastered the LP, and Shelley Products pressed the U.S. issue.

B. Baker Chocolate Co. appeared in a sleeve with art direction and design by Kiyoshi Kanai. The cover shows a slanted metallic nameplate with the B. Baker Chocolate Co. logo across a purple-toned reflective surface.

T.K. Disco circulated an extended disco 12-inch mix of “Higher and Higher / The High and the Mighty” as a 1979 promo (6:40) backed with the album version.

Postlude

Lester compiled Baker-associated LRC material as Hot Chocolate, a 1980 51 West album credited to Brad Baker Chocolate Company. Baker and Quinn earned further credits with Meco, B.T. Express, and Big Al Downing; Quinn co-wrote the Downing singles “I’ll Be Loving You,” “Darlene,” and “It Takes Love,” which reached the Billboard country chart.

Ponder continued with Ponder’n, Down Here on the Ground, and So Many Stars. Lonnie Smith cut When the Night Is Right and later appeared with Alvin Queen on Lenox and Seventh. McGriff resumed leader activity with Skywalk and State of the Art.

Daniels entered his GRP period with Breakthrough, his clarinet-and-orchestra project with the London Philharmonia Orchestra. Young returned to leader billing with his 1985 release Chant. Winston did likewise with Do It for Love.

Discography: