Higher Ground is an album by jazz organist Johnny Hammond recorded for the Kudu label in 1973.[1][2]

Higher Ground
Studio album by Johnny Hammond
Released	1974
Recorded	October 31 and November 1, 1973
Studio	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Genre	Jazz fusion, jazz-funk
Length	35:56
Label	Kudu KU-16
Producer	Creed Taylor
Johnny Hammond chronology
The Prophet (1972) Higher Ground (1974) Gambler's Life (1974)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]

The Allmusic site awarded the album 2 stars stating "Some of the arrangements seem, well... arranged, but as soon as Smith kicks in, the groove is established".[3]

The song "Big Sur Suite" has been sampled multiple times including The Beastie Boys "Pass the Mic" and Dr. Dre in "A Nigga Wit a Gun".

Track listing

1. "Catch My Soul" (Jack Good, Tony Joe White) - 7:19
2. "Summertime/The Ghetto" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward/Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson) - 10:06
3. "Higher Ground" (Stevie Wonder) - 10:33
4. "Big Sur Suite" (Johnny "Hammond" Smith) - 9:04

Personnel

• Johnny Hammond - organ, electric piano
• Wayne Andre, Tony Studd - trombone
• Paul Faulise, Alan Raph - bass trombone
• Jon Faddis, John Frosk, Alan Rubin - trumpet
• Marvin Stamm - trumpet, flugelhorn
• Ray Alonge - French horn
• Joe Henderson - tenor saxophone
• Hank Crawford - alto saxophone (track 4)
• Eddie Daniels - clarinet
• Romeo Penque - alto flute, oboe
• Eli Carmen - bassoon
• Bob James - electric piano, organ, mellotron, arranger, conductor
• George Benson - guitar (tracks 2-4)
• Ron Carter - bass, electric bass
• Jack DeJohnette (track 4), Steve Gadd (tracks 1-3) - drums
• Phil Kraus, Ralph MacDonald - percussion

Production

• Creed Taylor - producer
• Rudy Van Gelder - engineer

References