LES MCCANN - LIVE AT MONTREUX
The 70s
genius of Les McCann – opened up here wonderfully in the space of a
double-length live performance! Tracks are all nice and long – and Les steps
out strongly on Fender Rhodes and clavinet, ringing out with amazing tones that
are really wonderful – kind of the electric depth of the Circles record, mixed
with some of the sharper soul of other early 70s albums! The small group features
great conga work from Buck Clarke, who kicks in some great elements to really
drive the rhythms – and the open space of the record really gives Les plenty of
room to sing alongside his keyboards. Titles include "Carry On
Brother", "Home Again", "Get Yourself Together",
"Compared To What", "Cochise", and "Price You Got To
Pay To Be Free". ~ Dusty
Groove
HANK CRAWFORD - MR. BLUES
A sweet
soulful stepper from the mighty Hank Crawford – a set that's got a bit of the
bluesy lines promised by the title, but which also has some snappier soul jazz
modes played by a larger ensemble! Hank plays a bit of piano, in addition to
his trademark alto sax – and the set's got a style that bridges his roots with
Ray Charles and some of the cooler, groovier modes of Atlantic Records jazz in
the 60s. Other players include Wendell Harrison on reeds, and Sonny Forriest on
guitar – and titles include the originals "Mr Blues", "Smoky
City", "Hush Puppies", and "The Turfer" – plus
versions of "Danger Zone", "Route 66", and "Lonely
Avenue". ~ Dusty Groove
QUINCY JONES BIG BAND - FREE AND EASY
Rare
live work from Quincy Jones – recorded in Sweden at the start of the 60s, with
an ultra-hip lineup that really helps Q hit some wonderful lines throughout!
The players are a mixed assemblage of American and European musicians – the
kind of groups that Jones had been putting together on the continent for the
past few years, in a way that really helped create a strong crossbreeding of
jazz talents – with a legacy of expatriate players for years to come! The group
features Benny Bailey and Clark Terry on trumpets, Melba Liston and Ake Persson
on trombones, Phil Woods on alto, Budd Johnson on tenor, Jerome Richardson on
tenor and flute, and Sahib Shihab on baritone sax – and the tunes include
lively readings of "Ghana", "Birth Of A Band", "Big
Red", "Walkin", "Moanin", "I Remember
Clifford", and "Phantom Blues". ~ Dusty Groove
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