Representative Albums: "The Path," "Sound of a Drum," "The Complete Marlin Recordings"
Representative Songs: "Calypso Breakdown," "Where Is the Love?," "In the Name of Love"
Biography
A busy studio musician during much of his career, Ralph MacDonald added colorful sounds and catchy rhythms to hundreds of recording sessions. His father's band played calypso in Harlem, and it had a strong influence on his playing, as did a ten-year stint (1961-71) with Harry Belafonte's band. After leaving Belafonte, MacDonald became a studio player, performing everything from soul and funk to disco and R&B. His jazz associations have included Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, the Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn and most notably Grover Washington Jr. MacDonald led albums for Marlin in 1976 and 1979, TK in 1980, and Polydor in 1984. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
His song "Jam on the Groove" was featured on the breakbeat compilation Ultimate Breaks and Beats. His "Calypso Breakdown" is on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. MacDonald also appears on Amy Lee's CD Use Me.
