CLIFFORD BROWN MAX ROACH ALL STARS - Best Coast Jazz
Fresh Sound Records FSR - CD868
Clifford Brown (tpt) Herb Geller (alt) Joe Maini (alt) Walter Benton (tnr) Kenny Drew (pno) Curtis Counce (bs) Max Roach (drs)
This is a re-issue of the 1954 Hollywood sessions originally released on the EmArcy label as "Best Coast Jazz" MG36039 and "Clifford Brown All Stars" MG36102. The album offers four extended takes averaging over eighteen minutes each plus one small bonus in a digitally remastered format. Both sessions find "Brownie" in top form during the year that he was awarded first place in the Downbeat awards in The Best Newcomer category. In his four short years of musical activity he featured on no less than twenty three albums as leader or co-leader, plus a good number as a sideman before his tragic death at the age of 25 in 1956.
This recording is certainly a welcome addition to his output, the music being more East than West coast due to the inclusion of the two Parker influenced alto saxophonists. The opener, a little known piece "Coronado" by Johnny Coles precedes the three great standards and is a muscular workout for the whole of the sextet with the leader demonstrating his speed of thought and accurate note placement at high tempo, along with good ensemble work by the reeds and a compelling drum solo to finish. One of the disc's highlights is Kenny Drew's opening extended solo on "You Go To My Head", is fragmented in some parts and almost Tatumish in others. Herb Geller keeps things at the highest level, holding the theme but soaring like only a few can, before the seldom recorded tenor man, previously with the likes of Quincy Jones and Gerald Wilson, Walter Benton adds an understated contribution until things pick up with a considered and oblique six minute interlude from the leader, full of rhythmic changes before the final re-statement of the theme.
Juan Tizol's "Caravan" is a tune that requires the high level of atmosphere intended by the composer to deliver it's full impact. This is more than achieved during the opening sequence led by the drums against the reed ensemble choir. However the trumpet solo taken at high tempo, on this occasion is a phenomenal exhibition of technique but totally negates the mood the composer envisaged. The drums return in solo mode before the final re-statement of the theme. Vernon Duke's "Autumn In New York" turns out to be the ideal vehicle for a wonderful lengthy opening exploration of the theme from all angels by the leader, holding the listeners attention throughout and underlining why he is placed among the jazz trumpet's greatest exponents. Kenny Drew and the saxophones take over, holding the mood well before the bass of Curtis Counce in conversation with the piano brings things to a close. The album closes with a brief bonus track, a reprise of the trumpet solo from "Caravan".
There are enough highlights on this recording to justify it's addition to any collection not containing the original EmArcy 12 inch vinyl releases.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Fresh Sound Records FSR - CD868
Clifford Brown (tpt) Herb Geller (alt) Joe Maini (alt) Walter Benton (tnr) Kenny Drew (pno) Curtis Counce (bs) Max Roach (drs)
This is a re-issue of the 1954 Hollywood sessions originally released on the EmArcy label as "Best Coast Jazz" MG36039 and "Clifford Brown All Stars" MG36102. The album offers four extended takes averaging over eighteen minutes each plus one small bonus in a digitally remastered format. Both sessions find "Brownie" in top form during the year that he was awarded first place in the Downbeat awards in The Best Newcomer category. In his four short years of musical activity he featured on no less than twenty three albums as leader or co-leader, plus a good number as a sideman before his tragic death at the age of 25 in 1956.
This recording is certainly a welcome addition to his output, the music being more East than West coast due to the inclusion of the two Parker influenced alto saxophonists. The opener, a little known piece "Coronado" by Johnny Coles precedes the three great standards and is a muscular workout for the whole of the sextet with the leader demonstrating his speed of thought and accurate note placement at high tempo, along with good ensemble work by the reeds and a compelling drum solo to finish. One of the disc's highlights is Kenny Drew's opening extended solo on "You Go To My Head", is fragmented in some parts and almost Tatumish in others. Herb Geller keeps things at the highest level, holding the theme but soaring like only a few can, before the seldom recorded tenor man, previously with the likes of Quincy Jones and Gerald Wilson, Walter Benton adds an understated contribution until things pick up with a considered and oblique six minute interlude from the leader, full of rhythmic changes before the final re-statement of the theme.
Juan Tizol's "Caravan" is a tune that requires the high level of atmosphere intended by the composer to deliver it's full impact. This is more than achieved during the opening sequence led by the drums against the reed ensemble choir. However the trumpet solo taken at high tempo, on this occasion is a phenomenal exhibition of technique but totally negates the mood the composer envisaged. The drums return in solo mode before the final re-statement of the theme. Vernon Duke's "Autumn In New York" turns out to be the ideal vehicle for a wonderful lengthy opening exploration of the theme from all angels by the leader, holding the listeners attention throughout and underlining why he is placed among the jazz trumpet's greatest exponents. Kenny Drew and the saxophones take over, holding the mood well before the bass of Curtis Counce in conversation with the piano brings things to a close. The album closes with a brief bonus track, a reprise of the trumpet solo from "Caravan".
There are enough highlights on this recording to justify it's addition to any collection not containing the original EmArcy 12 inch vinyl releases.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
