EARL BOSTIC / RICHARD "GROVE HOLMES / JOE PASS - Complete Quintet Recordings
Phono 870225
Jazz as I Feel it
Tracks 1 to 7
Earl Bostic ( alto ) Richard “Groove” Holmes ( organ ) Joe Pass ( gtr ) Herbert Grody or Jimmy Bond ( bass ) Shelly Manne or Charles Blackwell ( drs )
Recorded Hollywood, 13th & 14th August 1963
A New Sound
Tracks 8 to 17
Earl Bostic ( alto ) Richard “Groove” Holmes ( organ ) Joe Pass ( gtr ) Al McKibbon or Jimmy Bond ( bass ) Earl Palmer ( drs )
Recorded Hollywood, September 1963
Earl Bostic took up the alto saxophone at an early age whilst still at high school and whilst he attended Xavier University in New Orleans he added trumpet and guitar to hi range of instruments. He worked in a number of territory bands including Benny Moten and Fates Marable before moving to New York in 1938.
Arriving in New York he worked with Don Redman and Edgar Hayes before making his recording debut with Lionel Hampton in 1939in a small group which included guitarist Charlie Christian.
From 1943 to 1944 he worked with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra after which he freelanced arranging and recording before forming his own septet in 1945.
A number of future stars passed through the ranks of the septet including John Coltrane, Benny Golson and Blue Mitchell. His influence on other saxophonists was mostly confined to the R and B players but he had his own unique style.
In 1951 his big break came in the form of single recording of “Flamingo” which became some of a hit and the musical press described his tone has having a buzz saw quality.
The recordings on this album the quintet is the classic combination of saxophone, organ and guitar with added bass and drums, it was more often a tenor saxophone but on this occasion it is the alto.
Most of the tracks are up tempo and lean towards the Rand B style particularly the second recording date ”A New Sound” where the drummer Earl Palmer employs a much heavier beat. Joe Pass provides a number of interesting solos and organist Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes keeps the tension at full pitch.
There are a couple of numbers which provide some breathing space and pause for reflection, on the first album “Jazz as I Feel It” the track “Hunt and Peck” has a pleasant laid back feel to it. On the second album Johnny Pate’s original “Karen” is a well constructed ballad on which Bostic takes full advantage of its fine qualities.
This recording may attract a certain nostalgia to listeners of a certain age but there is plenty of interest for listeners who enjoy music by a group with this type of line up.
Phono 870225
Jazz as I Feel it
Tracks 1 to 7
Earl Bostic ( alto ) Richard “Groove” Holmes ( organ ) Joe Pass ( gtr ) Herbert Grody or Jimmy Bond ( bass ) Shelly Manne or Charles Blackwell ( drs )
Recorded Hollywood, 13th & 14th August 1963
A New Sound
Tracks 8 to 17
Earl Bostic ( alto ) Richard “Groove” Holmes ( organ ) Joe Pass ( gtr ) Al McKibbon or Jimmy Bond ( bass ) Earl Palmer ( drs )
Recorded Hollywood, September 1963
Earl Bostic took up the alto saxophone at an early age whilst still at high school and whilst he attended Xavier University in New Orleans he added trumpet and guitar to hi range of instruments. He worked in a number of territory bands including Benny Moten and Fates Marable before moving to New York in 1938.
Arriving in New York he worked with Don Redman and Edgar Hayes before making his recording debut with Lionel Hampton in 1939in a small group which included guitarist Charlie Christian.
From 1943 to 1944 he worked with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra after which he freelanced arranging and recording before forming his own septet in 1945.
A number of future stars passed through the ranks of the septet including John Coltrane, Benny Golson and Blue Mitchell. His influence on other saxophonists was mostly confined to the R and B players but he had his own unique style.
In 1951 his big break came in the form of single recording of “Flamingo” which became some of a hit and the musical press described his tone has having a buzz saw quality.
The recordings on this album the quintet is the classic combination of saxophone, organ and guitar with added bass and drums, it was more often a tenor saxophone but on this occasion it is the alto.
Most of the tracks are up tempo and lean towards the Rand B style particularly the second recording date ”A New Sound” where the drummer Earl Palmer employs a much heavier beat. Joe Pass provides a number of interesting solos and organist Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes keeps the tension at full pitch.
There are a couple of numbers which provide some breathing space and pause for reflection, on the first album “Jazz as I Feel It” the track “Hunt and Peck” has a pleasant laid back feel to it. On the second album Johnny Pate’s original “Karen” is a well constructed ballad on which Bostic takes full advantage of its fine qualities.
This recording may attract a certain nostalgia to listeners of a certain age but there is plenty of interest for listeners who enjoy music by a group with this type of line up.
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Reviewed by Roy Booth
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