Sunday, October 29, 2017

Eddie Harris - Instant Death

This is one of Eddie Harris's stronger Atlantic albums of the 1970s. Harris jamming on "Instant Death" is one of his most satisfying statements on the reed trumpet, guitarist Ronald Muldrow's "A Little Wes" is memorable and even the briefer pieces are worthwhile. In addition to Harris (who mostly plays his electrified tenor) and Muldrow, the group consists of keyboardist Richard Abrams, bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Billy James and percussionist Henry Gibson. This long out-of-print LP is long overdue to be reissued on CD. - by Scott Yanow, AMG

Artist: Eddie Harris
Album: Instant Death
Year: 1972 (Atlantic Recordings)
Label: Atlantic Masters (2004)
Runtime: 36:23

Tracks:
1.  Instant Death (Eddie Harris) 5:45
2.  A Little Wes (Ronald Muldrow) 7:30
3.  Zambezi Dance (Richard Abrams/Henry Gibson/Eddie Harris/Billy James/Ronald Muldrow) 4:09
4.  Summer's On Its Way (Eddie Harris) 7:46
5.  Nightcap (Eddie Harris) 5:08
6.  Superfluous (Eddie Harris) 3:18
7.  Tampion (Eddie Harris) 2:47

Personnel:
Eddie Harris (Saxophone [Electric Saxophone], Trumpet, Cowbell, Shaker, Voice [Horn Vocals], Effects)
Rufus Reid (Double Bass, Electric Bass)
Henry Gibson (Congas, Talking Drum)
Billy James (Drums, Kalimba)
Ronald Muldrow (Electric Guitar)
Muhal Richard Abrams (Electric Piano, Whistle [African Whistle])

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Frank Wess - Seven Classic Albums - IV

In a Minor Groovie:
With the exceptional flute sounds produced by Frank Wess, the combo plays music that is oriented via a unique sonic palate, further enhanced by the principals in the standards and originals they have chosen. Fellow Detroiter Herman Wright is here on bass, with duties split between legendary drummers Art Taylor and Roy Haynes, who place particular emphasis on subtle brushwork. Of course, the watchword of Ashby's sound is elegance, as she and Wess weave magical threads of gold and silver through standards like the circular and pristine "Moonlight in Vermont," the dramatic, slow "Yesterdays," or the sad "Alone Together." In a more Baroque or chamber setting, "Charmain" and "It's a Minor Thing" have Wess and Ashby thinking on a regal or Grecian platform. The variety on this collection is impressive, as you hear cinematic bluesy proclamations on "Autumn in Rome," striking mystery in "Taboo," mischievous and sly winks during "Rascallity," and a sexy calypso-to-swing beat as "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" unfolds. - by Michael G. Nastos, AMG

The Frank Wess Quartet:
Frank Wess has long been one of the most underrated flautists in jazz, but it's his primary instrument on this CD reissue of a Moodsville LP recorded in 1960. With fine accompaniment by piano master Tommy Flanagan, bassist Eddie Jones and drummer Bobby Donaldson, the leader's lyrical chops are evident in Alec Wilder's rarely performed ballad "It's So Peaceful in the Country." The light Latin setting of "Star Eyes" initially spotlights Flanagan's elegant piano, with the rhythm switching gears as Wess works his magic on flute. Flanagan alone introduces the dreamy interpretation of "But Beautiful," while Wess will melt any heart with his gorgeous flute solo. Wess is best known for his swinging tenor saxophone, heard on the richly textured "Gone With the Wind," a spacious "Stella by Starlight" (which will rival any saxophonist's recording for pure beauty), as well as his bluesy original "Rainy Afternoon," with Donaldson's light percussion possibly suggesting stepping in sidewalk puddles or windshield wipers clearing intermittent precipitation. Highly recommended. - by Ken Dryden, AMG

Artist: Frank Wess
Album: Seven Classic Albums IV.
Year: 1958, 1960 (New Jazz; Prestige)
Label: Real Gone Jazz (Digitally Remastered, 2013)
Runtime: 77:19

Tracks:
In a Minor Groovy
1.  Rascallity (Dorothy Ashby) 3:54
2.  You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (Cole Porter) 3:59
3.  It's a Minor Thing (Dorothy Ashby) 3:56
4.  Yesterdays (Otto Harbach/Jerome Kern) 4:22
5.  Bohemia After Dark (Oscar Pettiford) 6:19
6.  Taboo (Margarita Lecuona) 6:15
7.  Autumn in Rome (Sammy Cahn/Paul Weston) 5:33
8.  Alone Together (Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz) 4:58
The Frank Wess Quartet
9. It's So Peaceful in the Country (Alec Wilder) - 4:01
10. Rainy Afternoon (Frank Wess) - 8:26
11. Star Eyes (Gene de Paul / Don Raye) - 3:54
12. Stella by Starlight (Ned Washington / Victor Young) - 5:10
13. But Beautiful (Johnny Burke / Jimmy Van Heusen) - 4:36
14. Gone with the Wind (Herb Magidson / Allie Wrubel) - 5:46
15. I See Your Face Before Me (Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz) - 6:05

Personnel:
Frank Wess (Flute, Tenor Saxophone)
Dorothy Ashby (Harp) 1-8
Herman Wright (Double Bass) 1-8
Roy Haynes (Drums) 1-8
Tommy Flanagan (Piano) 9-15
Eddie Jones (Double Bass) 9-15
Bobby Donaldson (drums) 9-15

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Frank Wess - Seven Classic Albums - III

After Hours:
A leaderless sextet jams on four of pianist Mal Waldron's originals. The performances range from eight to 12 minutes apiece. The all-star lineup -- trumpeter Thad Jones, Frank Wess on tenor and flute, guitarist Kenny Burrell, Waldron, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Taylor -- is in fine form on the straight-ahead material. Bop fans will want to pick this up. - by Scott Yanow, AMG

Wheelin' and Dealin':
This two-fer from the excellent Prestige series of two-LP sets features Coltrane at a pair of jam-session-type settings in 1957. He is heard along with fellow tenor Paul Quinichette and Frank Wess on flute and tenor on two long versions apiece of "Wheelin'" and "Dealin" in addition to a fine rendition of "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" and a 15-minute version of "Robbins' Nest." In addition, there are two numbers from a sextet session with trumpeter Bill Hardman and altoist Jackie McLean. Overall the music is not all that essential (since there are so many other Coltrane recordings available) but is quite enjoyable on its own terms and worth picking up. - by Scott Yanow, AMG

Recorded days after the wonderful Blue Train album, this session brought together an unusual cast of players. John Coltrane, Paul Quinichette and Frank Wess on tenor saxophone (with Wess doubling on flute), Mal Waldron running the show on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and Art Taylor on drums. Probably the most interesting material on this album is the take of Waldron's "Wheelin'", a fast romp which provides a battleground for a three-way tenor tussle. Waldron takes an extended solo in his Monk-like awkward but bluesy style, which either does it for you or doesn't. It's a shame this was released under Coltrane's/Wess' name since it's really Mal Waldron's set and material and probably not in the taste of most Trane lovers, but still worth checking out. - Amazon.com

Artist: Frank Wess
Album: Seven Classic Albums (Disc 3)
Year: 1957-58 (Prestige Records)
Label: Real Gone Jazz (Digitally Remastered, 2013)
Runtime: 65:13

Tracks:
After Hours:
Count One (Mal Waldron) 7:53
Empty Street (Mal Waldron) 12:38
Wheelin and Dealin':
3.  Things Ain't What They Used to Be (Mercer Ellington / Ted Persons) 8:25
4.  Wheelin' (Mal Waldron) 11:22
5.  Robbin's Nest (Illinois Jacquet / Bob Russell / Sir Charles Thompson) 15:30
6.  Dealin' (Mal Waldron) 10:13

Personnel:
Frank Wess (Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Alto Saxophone)
Mal Waldron (Piano)
Art Taylor (Drums)
John Coltrane (Tenor Saxophone) 3-6
Paul Quinichette (Tenor Saxophone) 3-6
Doug Watkins (Double Bass) 3-6
Kenny Burrell (Guitar) 1-2
Thad Jones (Trumpet) - 1-2
Paul Chambers (Double Bass) 1-2

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