California Message is an album by saxophonist/composer Benny Golson that was recorded in 1980 and released on the Japanese Baystate label the following year.[1][2] The album features trombonist Curtis Fuller, Golsons colleague from The Jazztet who also played with The Jazz Messengers, and was reissued on the Dutch Timeless label in 1984.[3][4]

California Message
Studio album by Benny Golson featuring Curtis Fuller
Released	1981
Recorded	October 20, 21 & 22, 1980
Studio	Maui Music Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Genre	Jazz
Length	46:43
Label	Baystate RJL 8013
Producer	Fumimaru Kawashima, Makoto Kimata
Benny Golson chronology
I'm Always Dancin' to the Music (1978) California Message (1981) One More Mem'ry (1982)
Curtis Fuller chronology
Giant Bones at Nice (1980) California Message (1981) One More Mem'ry (1982)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]

The AllMusic review by Steve Loewy said "While not one of Benny Golson's best recordings, there are still delights to be found. Golson leads a septet of trombonist Curtis Fuller plus mostly studio musicians from the Los Angeles area, performing a set of generally well-known tunes written by the leader ... trumpeter Oscar Brashear is a pleasant surprise with his lyrical, forward-looking solos. Golson is a pleasure to hear, too, on both tenor and soprano saxophones. Largely, the recording is fairly ordinary, though, with a sense that much of this has been done before, only better, by groups led by Golson. There is better Golson available elsewhere".[5]

Track listing

All compositions by Benny Golson

1. "California Message" – 5:41
2. "Soul Talk" – 6:41
3. "Blues March" – 5:56
4. "The Berliner" – 5:48
5. "Whisper Not" – 8:55
6. "Free Again" – 7:15
7. "I Remember Clifford" – 6:30

Personnel

• Benny Golson – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
• Curtis Fuller – trombone
• Oscar Brashear – trumpet
• Thurman Green – trombone
• Bill Mays – piano
• Bob Magnusson - bass
• Roy McCurdy – drums

Production

• Fumimaru Kawashima, Makoto Kimata – producer
• Ron Nadel – engineer

References