#hardbop

Dexter Gordon – A Swingin’ Affair

A Swingin’ Affair is an album recorded in 1962 by saxophonist Dexter Gordon, recorded two days after Go! with the same line-up, but not released for two years.

Hank Mobley Quintet – Curtain Call

Curtain Call is an album by jazz saxophonist Hank Mobley, released on the Japanese Blue Note label in 1984. It was recorded on August 18, 1957 and features Mobley, trumpeter Kenny Dorham, bassist Jimmy Rowser, pianist Sonny Clark, and drummer Art Taylor.

Reception The Allmusic review by Lee Bloom awarded the album 3 stars stating “Despite an occasional tendency for Mobley’s relaxed articulation to sound a bit languorous, his playing is generally enjoyable, and his writing exhibits character, maturity, and a uniquely rhythmic approach to crafting memorable melodies.

WILD BILL DAVIS – AT BIRDLAND (1955)

Reception

AllMusic awarded the album 4.5 stars out of 5.

Personnel:

John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman – John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman

John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman is a studio album by John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman that was released by Impulse! Records in July or August 1963 It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013.

Reception

AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 5 stars out of 5 and stated:”John Coltrane’s matchup with singer Johnny Hartman, although quite unexpected, works extremely well. Hartman was in prime form on the six ballads, and his versions of “Lush Life” and “My One and Only Love” have never been topped. Coltrane’s playing throughout the session is beautiful, sympathetic, and still exploratory; he sticks exclusively to tenor on the date. At only half an hour, one wishes there were twice as much music, but what is here is classic, essential for all jazz collections.”

Herbie Hancock – Empyrean Isles

Empyrean Isles is the fourth studio album by American jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, recorded in 1964 for Blue Note Records.

Reception

The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded Empyrean Isles four out of four stars.

AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album five out of five stars, calling it “a record that officially established Hancock as a major artist in his own right.”

Gene Ammons – Up Tight

Up Tight! is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded in 1961 and released on the Prestige label.

Reception

AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating “His sound and style effectively bridged the gap between bop and soul jazz”.