Elvin Jones - Dear John C. - 45rpm 180g 2LP

Product no.: AIPJ 88

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Elvin Jones - Dear John C. - 45rpm 180g 2LP
£84.99
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AAA 100% Analogue This LP was Remastered using Pure Analogue Components Only, from the Master Tapes through to the Cutting Head

Analogue Productions - AIPJ 88 - 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl - AAA 100% Analogue

Mastered by Steve Hoffman & Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

1000 Numbered Limited Edition -  Pressed at RTI - Impulse A-88

Elvin Jones was nearing the end of his long stay with John Coltrane when he led these sessions in 1965, and while the style is small-group post-bop, the music is very different from the thick textures of the Coltrane quartet. The core band is a trio with the Charlie Parker-influenced alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano and the brilliant bassist Richard Davis.

Mariano soars overhead on a series of lyrical standards, including "Everything Happens to Me" and "This Love of Mine." Roland Hanna joins the group for the first three selections, and Elvin's brother, Hank for the last four. Of the Hanna tracks, Charles Mingus's "Love Bird" stands out, while Hank Jones' crisp and inventive lines shine on the classic bop of "Anthropology" and Ellington's "Fantazm."

The second album by Elvin Jones as sole title rights leader (excluding the co-op ensemble that recorded the stunning and essential progressive jazz icon Illumination!) has the drummer sounding more like a backup musician, as he claims no compositional duties or noticeable solo space. In fact, this is one of the very best albums in the career of alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano, who occupies the bulk of lead lines and improvising responsibilities. He's so up-front, and on an instrument that is not John Coltrane's main instrument -- the tenor sax -- that the title is also a bit of a misnomer. The value of Jones as a bandleader lies in his concept of using fellow Detroiter Sir Roland Hanna or brother Hank Jones on selected tracks, or in the case of three tracks, no pianist. Bassist Richard Davis rounds out this truly brilliant ensemble of burgeoning mid-'60s jazz stars, who play an enticing collection of standards, bop, compositions of Bob Hammer, and originals from several modern sources. A stone cold bebopper and Charlie Parker devotee at the time of this recording.

Mariano is the standout performer. He swings easily but mightily on the title track paralleling Coltrane's "Milestones," stretches the Charles Mingus evergreen "Reincarnation of a Lovebird" (titled here as "Love Bird"), and pulls out all the stops with Hank Jones during an only slightly flawed (they miss two notes) version of the tricky "Anthropology." They tack a calypso beat onto Duke Ellington's "Fantazm" in a playful, modern dress, and stroll on the quirky Hammer composition "That Five-Four Bag" as an offshoot retort to Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." The three tracks sans piano include a walking version of "Everything Happens to Me"; the ballad "Smoke Rings," where the band excepting Mariano is relaxed; and Frank Sinatra's "This Love of Mine," where the emotive saxophonist dips into humor, even a bit ribald. The variety from cut to cut is engaging, and there's nothing over the top, even the drumming of Elvin Jones. With the musicality at a high level, Dear John C. needs revisiting by drumming students and jazz fans to note how teamwork, shared values, and held-in-check dynamics benefit the overall quality of music.

It seems this recording is underrated when over time it should never be. Dear John C. is deserving of an excellent rating.

Elvin Jones, drums
Richard Davis, bass
Sir Roland Hanna, piano
Hank Jones, piano
Charlie Mariano, alto saxophone 

1. Dear John C. 
2. Ballade 
3. Love Bird 
4. Everything Happens to Me 
5. Smoke Rings 
6. This Love of Mine 
7. Anthropology 
8. Feeling Good 
9. Fantazm 
10. That Five-Four Bang

 
https://store.acousticsounds.com/images/FormatIcons/180gram.jpg RTI 180 HQ Vinyl
Record Technology is a world class record pressing plant located in Camarillo, California. We have been operating since 1974, pressing for most audiophile record labels and for many quality minded independent and major record labels from around the world.

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