MEL LEWIS - Septet & Sextet / Got ‘Cha
Fresh Sound Records FSR-CD 895
Got ‘Cha
Tracks 1 to 7
Ed Leddy ( tpt ) Richie Kamuca ( tnr ) Jerry Coker ( tnr ) Pepper Adams ( bar ) Johnny Marabuto
( pno ) Dean Reilly ( bass ) Mel Lewis ( drs )
Arrangements by Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins, Jerry Coker, Pepper Adams & Johnny Marabuto
Recorded Oakland, California, November 1956
Mel Lewis Sextet
Tracks 8 to 13
Jack Sheldon ( tpt ) Charlie Mariano ( alto ) Bill Holman ( tnr ) Marty Paich ( pno ) Buddy Clark
( bass ) Mel Lewis ( drs )
Recorded Hollywood, 5 & 6 June 1957
The first seven tracks on this disc titled “Got ‘Cha” were issued as a single album by Fresh Sounds Records a number of years ago it is therefore a bonus for it to be re-issued along with another complete album on one CD.
The first album “Got ‘Cha” must have been recorded soon after the initial UK tour of the Stan Kenton Orchestra when both Mel Lewis and Ed Leddy were members of that band.
Richie Kamuca is an hard swinging tenor player who was a member of both the Woody Herman and Stan Kenton Orchestras, he also had a rewarding partnership with the bass trumpet player Cy Touff and his presence on this album is a bonus.
All the compositions on the album are originals except for the opening track Ellington’s “In A Mellotone” which is the most laid back track on the album with excellent solos from all the horn players.
Richie Kamuca plays and solos well throughout the album with his distinctive bouncy style which he tended to lose in later recordings. Pepper Adams plays with much more involvement than I have heard in some of his recordings but he has a big sound and plays interesting solos. Ed Leddy and Jerry Coker play well enough but are are not in the the same class as Kamuca and Adams but are valid members of the ensembles.
With five different arrangers over seven tracks there is plenty of variety in the approach to each number and although this might not be a ground breaking album it certainly has plenty to offer not forgetting the leaders immaculate drumming.
The Sextet tracks were recorded the following year with a completely different personnel all who are high profile West Coast players with a wealth of experience and all the tracks have a West Coast feel.
“You Took Advantage Of Me” is the only standard on the six tracks and Marty Paich opens the solo sequence with a lightly swinging solo. Jack Sheldon is next up with a flowing solo which demonstrates he is not just a funny man, Bill Holman rounds things out he is one of the best tenor players period but he went on to become one of the major arrangers.
All the originals are by members of the group except “Brookside” and “Zig-Zag” which are by Bob Brookmeyer and although workman like are not particularly memorable.
This album is a welcome release with the “Got ‘Cha” tracks being the most interesting but the additional tracks are most welcome.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Fresh Sound Records FSR-CD 895
Got ‘Cha
Tracks 1 to 7
Ed Leddy ( tpt ) Richie Kamuca ( tnr ) Jerry Coker ( tnr ) Pepper Adams ( bar ) Johnny Marabuto
( pno ) Dean Reilly ( bass ) Mel Lewis ( drs )
Arrangements by Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins, Jerry Coker, Pepper Adams & Johnny Marabuto
Recorded Oakland, California, November 1956
Mel Lewis Sextet
Tracks 8 to 13
Jack Sheldon ( tpt ) Charlie Mariano ( alto ) Bill Holman ( tnr ) Marty Paich ( pno ) Buddy Clark
( bass ) Mel Lewis ( drs )
Recorded Hollywood, 5 & 6 June 1957
The first seven tracks on this disc titled “Got ‘Cha” were issued as a single album by Fresh Sounds Records a number of years ago it is therefore a bonus for it to be re-issued along with another complete album on one CD.
The first album “Got ‘Cha” must have been recorded soon after the initial UK tour of the Stan Kenton Orchestra when both Mel Lewis and Ed Leddy were members of that band.
Richie Kamuca is an hard swinging tenor player who was a member of both the Woody Herman and Stan Kenton Orchestras, he also had a rewarding partnership with the bass trumpet player Cy Touff and his presence on this album is a bonus.
All the compositions on the album are originals except for the opening track Ellington’s “In A Mellotone” which is the most laid back track on the album with excellent solos from all the horn players.
Richie Kamuca plays and solos well throughout the album with his distinctive bouncy style which he tended to lose in later recordings. Pepper Adams plays with much more involvement than I have heard in some of his recordings but he has a big sound and plays interesting solos. Ed Leddy and Jerry Coker play well enough but are are not in the the same class as Kamuca and Adams but are valid members of the ensembles.
With five different arrangers over seven tracks there is plenty of variety in the approach to each number and although this might not be a ground breaking album it certainly has plenty to offer not forgetting the leaders immaculate drumming.
The Sextet tracks were recorded the following year with a completely different personnel all who are high profile West Coast players with a wealth of experience and all the tracks have a West Coast feel.
“You Took Advantage Of Me” is the only standard on the six tracks and Marty Paich opens the solo sequence with a lightly swinging solo. Jack Sheldon is next up with a flowing solo which demonstrates he is not just a funny man, Bill Holman rounds things out he is one of the best tenor players period but he went on to become one of the major arrangers.
All the originals are by members of the group except “Brookside” and “Zig-Zag” which are by Bob Brookmeyer and although workman like are not particularly memorable.
This album is a welcome release with the “Got ‘Cha” tracks being the most interesting but the additional tracks are most welcome.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
