Imports and the so called lost recordings in jazz should all come with the warning label caveat emptor or more commonly known as buyer beware. When you toss in previously unreleased "live" radio and television performances from Europe then are you again looking at feast or famine. There are names to remember when such releases are found and Naxos may be one of the finest. The new Jazzhaus CD/DVD series set to launch in late March belongs in the feast category.
Most jazz fans that are hip to history know that Cannonball Adderley quickly rose to prominence thanks to his work on the Miles Davis Kind of Blue release. Roughly a decade later Adderley would be touring Europe with his own quintet and a remarkable performance was captured at Stuttgart Germany's Liederhalle. This was a killer quintet that included Joe Zawinul who would form Weather Report the following year. Classic bebop was quickly losing the attention of the American audience so Adderley and many of his contemporaries found themselves forced to head across the Atlantic where bop was still king and they were greeted by enthusiastic audiences. This particular performance captures the true versatility of Adderley as well if not better than most releases currently in his discography.
Opening with the Zawinul tune "Rumpelstiltskin" Adderley takes a page from the John Coltrane free jazz approach with an unbridled lyrical intensity seldom shown on previous recordings. The Leonard Bernstein classic "Somewhere" finds the quintet in a far more pensive mood. Adderley's wistful approach to his solo is thoughtful and introspective and Zawinul's somewhat soulful counterpoint adds great texture to what may have otherwise been a passable cover at best. Bassist Victor Gaskin and drummer Roy McCurdy help round out the stellar rhythm section with their own keen melodic sense. "Blue and Boogie" finds the quintet firing on all cylinders with a drumming masterclass given by Roy McCurdy. "Cannonball" Adderley fans will find plenty to appreciate with this special offering.
A very special recording. Pristine sound and perhaps one of Adderley's most expressive recordings available. "Cannonball" Adderley is the first artist that I have selected to examine in the series that begins to hit the street in the United States on March 27 2012.
Feast or famine?
Dig In!
Tracks: Rumpelstiltskin; Sweet Emma; Somewhere; Why Am I Treated So Bad; The Painted Desert; Oh Babe; Blue and Boogie; Walk Tall; Work Song.
Personnel: Julian "Cannonball" Adderley: alto saxophone; Nat Adderley: trumpet; Joe Zawinul: piano, keyboards; Victor Gaskin: bass; Roy McCurdy: drums.
