TINA BROOKS QUARTET - The Complete Recordings Master Takes
Phono 870333 (2 CD Set)
CD One
Tracks 1 to 5
Minor Move
Tina Brooks ( tnr ) Lee Morgan ( tpt ) Sonny Clark ( pno ) Doug Watkins ( bass ) Art Blakey ( drs )
Recorded Hackensack, New Jersey, 16th March 1958
Tracks 6 to 11
True Blue
Tina Brooks ( tnr ) Freddie Hubbard ( tpt ) Duke Jordan ( pno ) Sam Jones ( bass ) Art Taylor ( drs )
Recorded Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 25th June 1960
CD Two
Tracks 1 to 5
Back To The Tracks
Tracks 1 & 3 to 5
Tina Brooks ( tnr ) Blue Mitchell ( tpt ) Kenny Drew ( pno ) Paul Chambers ( bass ) Art Taylor ( drs )
Recorded Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 20 October 1960
Track 2
Same personnel except Jackie McLean ( alto ) added
Recorded Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1st September 1960
Tracks 6 to 11
The Waiting Game
Tina Brooks ( tnr ) Johnny Coles ( tpt ) Kenny Drew ( pno ) Wilbur Ware ( bass ) Philly Joe Jones
( drs )
Recorded Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 2nd March 1961
Tina Brooks was something of a shadowy figure during his short playing career and although he was signed by Blue Note Records only one of the albums recorded under his own name was released during his lifetime. The album released by Blue Note was “True Blue” was actually the second album he recorded for them and also included Freddie Hubbard in the all star line up.
As a side man he appeared on the iconic Jimmy Smith album “The Sermon” and also recorded with Jackie McLean, Kenny Burrell and many others. Although he played in the New York area for a number of years he suffered ill health and like many musicians of the period he had a narcotics problem and died at the tender age of forty two in 1974.
After many years a further three albums under his own name were released and there was an increase of interest in his playing. All four of the albums under his own name are contained within these two CDs. Of his contemporaries he can easily placed in the same category as Hank Mobley and his fluid sound and wealth of ideas made him an ideal post bop tenor player.
The first album on these two CDs “Minor Move” was actually the first one he recorded for Blue Note and included trumpeter Lee Morgan one of the finest players on his instrument during this period. The rhythm section is as good as it gets with ever dependable Sonny Clark on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and the mighty Art Blakey in the drum chair how can it fail?
On the two Tina Brooks originals “Nutville” and “Minor Move” all concerned have solos of note and the compositions are simple but effective. “Star Eyes” has the most interesting and well executed solos on the album with Lee Morgan’s owing much to the great Clifford Brown but there is enough of his own input to admire.
The final track is the ballad “Everything Happens To Me” and is Tina Brooks all the way showing that he is capable of some fine ballad playing.
The second album on CD One is “True Blue” which is the one issued while he was still alive and it is difficult to see why the other three albums were not issued at the time as there is much to admire in its contents. Five of the six compositions are the work of Tina Brooks and all have strong themes, Freddie Hubbard was at the height of his powers during this period and contributes some stunning solos as does Tina Brooks himself.
The one none Tina Brooks composition is the little heard number by Marvin Fisher and Jack Segal, “Nothing Ever Changes My Love For You” which is taken at a brisk tempo with good solos from all.
Although this is a fine album it is difficult to see why it was choen for issue over the other three.
The first five tracks on CD Two give us the album “Back Two The Tracks” which features yet another trumpet player, Blue Mitchell another fine player and one track altoist Jackie McLean is added.
The long medium paced “Street Singer” is full of good things and pianist Kenny Drew’s comping behind the soloists is a demonstration of how it should be done. Drummer Art Taylor is perhaps not as subtle as some but is pushy style gives the performances a little edge. Jackie McLean’s presence gives this track that extra dimension and adds to the solo strength.
Tina Brooks ballad mastery is on display on the seldom heard “For Heavens Sake” and he caresses the melody bringing out its beauty, Blue Mitchell has a short solo where his pure tune is well suited to the ballad style.
Another fine album with a stellar cast who aquit themselves well.
The Balance of the album is made up of the album is filled by “The Waiting Game” which is the final solo album he made and yet another fine trumpet player is included in the quintet, Johnny Coles.
The opening number a Tina Brooks original “Talkin’ About” is played with a shuffle beat provided by drummer Philly Joe Jones and has god solos from the front line but it is Kenny Drew’s piano solo which is the highlight.
The groups take on “Stranger In Paradise” is interesting and is taken a slightly faster pace than perhaps used to but nevertheless it works and all concerned give of their best.
This release gives us a chance to reassess the work of this fine tenor player and there is a welth of outstanding trumpet players to add to the mix and this release is highly recommended.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Phono 870333 (2 CD Set)
CD One
Tracks 1 to 5
Minor Move
Tina Brooks ( tnr ) Lee Morgan ( tpt ) Sonny Clark ( pno ) Doug Watkins ( bass ) Art Blakey ( drs )
Recorded Hackensack, New Jersey, 16th March 1958
Tracks 6 to 11
True Blue
Tina Brooks ( tnr ) Freddie Hubbard ( tpt ) Duke Jordan ( pno ) Sam Jones ( bass ) Art Taylor ( drs )
Recorded Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 25th June 1960
CD Two
Tracks 1 to 5
Back To The Tracks
Tracks 1 & 3 to 5
Tina Brooks ( tnr ) Blue Mitchell ( tpt ) Kenny Drew ( pno ) Paul Chambers ( bass ) Art Taylor ( drs )
Recorded Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 20 October 1960
Track 2
Same personnel except Jackie McLean ( alto ) added
Recorded Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1st September 1960
Tracks 6 to 11
The Waiting Game
Tina Brooks ( tnr ) Johnny Coles ( tpt ) Kenny Drew ( pno ) Wilbur Ware ( bass ) Philly Joe Jones
( drs )
Recorded Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 2nd March 1961
Tina Brooks was something of a shadowy figure during his short playing career and although he was signed by Blue Note Records only one of the albums recorded under his own name was released during his lifetime. The album released by Blue Note was “True Blue” was actually the second album he recorded for them and also included Freddie Hubbard in the all star line up.
As a side man he appeared on the iconic Jimmy Smith album “The Sermon” and also recorded with Jackie McLean, Kenny Burrell and many others. Although he played in the New York area for a number of years he suffered ill health and like many musicians of the period he had a narcotics problem and died at the tender age of forty two in 1974.
After many years a further three albums under his own name were released and there was an increase of interest in his playing. All four of the albums under his own name are contained within these two CDs. Of his contemporaries he can easily placed in the same category as Hank Mobley and his fluid sound and wealth of ideas made him an ideal post bop tenor player.
The first album on these two CDs “Minor Move” was actually the first one he recorded for Blue Note and included trumpeter Lee Morgan one of the finest players on his instrument during this period. The rhythm section is as good as it gets with ever dependable Sonny Clark on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and the mighty Art Blakey in the drum chair how can it fail?
On the two Tina Brooks originals “Nutville” and “Minor Move” all concerned have solos of note and the compositions are simple but effective. “Star Eyes” has the most interesting and well executed solos on the album with Lee Morgan’s owing much to the great Clifford Brown but there is enough of his own input to admire.
The final track is the ballad “Everything Happens To Me” and is Tina Brooks all the way showing that he is capable of some fine ballad playing.
The second album on CD One is “True Blue” which is the one issued while he was still alive and it is difficult to see why the other three albums were not issued at the time as there is much to admire in its contents. Five of the six compositions are the work of Tina Brooks and all have strong themes, Freddie Hubbard was at the height of his powers during this period and contributes some stunning solos as does Tina Brooks himself.
The one none Tina Brooks composition is the little heard number by Marvin Fisher and Jack Segal, “Nothing Ever Changes My Love For You” which is taken at a brisk tempo with good solos from all.
Although this is a fine album it is difficult to see why it was choen for issue over the other three.
The first five tracks on CD Two give us the album “Back Two The Tracks” which features yet another trumpet player, Blue Mitchell another fine player and one track altoist Jackie McLean is added.
The long medium paced “Street Singer” is full of good things and pianist Kenny Drew’s comping behind the soloists is a demonstration of how it should be done. Drummer Art Taylor is perhaps not as subtle as some but is pushy style gives the performances a little edge. Jackie McLean’s presence gives this track that extra dimension and adds to the solo strength.
Tina Brooks ballad mastery is on display on the seldom heard “For Heavens Sake” and he caresses the melody bringing out its beauty, Blue Mitchell has a short solo where his pure tune is well suited to the ballad style.
Another fine album with a stellar cast who aquit themselves well.
The Balance of the album is made up of the album is filled by “The Waiting Game” which is the final solo album he made and yet another fine trumpet player is included in the quintet, Johnny Coles.
The opening number a Tina Brooks original “Talkin’ About” is played with a shuffle beat provided by drummer Philly Joe Jones and has god solos from the front line but it is Kenny Drew’s piano solo which is the highlight.
The groups take on “Stranger In Paradise” is interesting and is taken a slightly faster pace than perhaps used to but nevertheless it works and all concerned give of their best.
This release gives us a chance to reassess the work of this fine tenor player and there is a welth of outstanding trumpet players to add to the mix and this release is highly recommended.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
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