Sam Jones - Something New/Something In Common (1979/77)

Something New

Sam Jones recorded profically as a sideman but rarely as a leader. Three albums for Riverside in the early 60s then a further seven in the 1970s. This was to be his final leader recording. As far as I can tell, never issued on CD.

Review by Scott Yanow:
The short-lived Sam Jones big band made its only recording for Interplay, which was reissued in 1980 on a Sea Breeze LP. The hard-swinging group is heard performing Jones' "Unit Seven" (the bassist was always an underrated composer), "Stella By Starlight" and originals by Pete Yellin, Bob Mintzer and Ernie Wilkins. Many all-stars were in the band, and among those featured are up-and-coming pianist Fred Hersch, trumpeters Richard Williams and John Eckert, Mintzer on tenor, altoist Yellin, trombonist Sam Burtis, and the tenor of Harold Vick (who is showcased on Wilkins' "Tender Touch"). An excellent jazz orchestra that has been long forgotten since Sam Jones' death in 1981.

Unit seven
Stella by starlight
Tropical delight
Antigua
Tender touch

Spanky Davis, John Eckert, Richard Williams (tp) Sam Burtis, Dick Griffin (tb) Pete Yellin (as) Bob Mintzer (fl,ts) Harold Vick (ts) Ronnie Cuber (bar) Fred Hersch (p)Sam Jones (b) Mickey Roker (d)
NYC, June 4, 1979


Something In Common

Review from allaboutjazz.com:
Something In Common reunites Jones with his long-time friends Cedar Walton and Billy Higgins. In addition Slide Hampton, Blue Mitchell and a young Bob Berg join in, elevating each other’s compositions through effective arrangements and penetrating solos.
Jones’ only original tune, “Seven Minds,” opens the album with one of his ominous solos, backed by Higgins’ cymbaled shimmering and Walton’s upper-register ornamentation, before Jones leads into an enthralling, charging modal romp that challenges all of the players. Cedar Walton’s “Bolivia” features Jones’ most famous bass lines when he was a member of Walton’s Eastern Rebellion. Walton’s “Something In Common,” rooted with Jones’ walking approach, reveals Walton’s understated taste, not only in composition, but also in arranging, which continues to this day. Slide Hampton’s contribution, “Every Man Is A King,” generously allows for Jones once again to lead off a tune with a dramatic and unhurried bass solo before the group comes in for a call-and-response theme. Blue Mitchell’s tribute to Horace Silver, “Blue Silver,” is surprising as it reveals after six tracks that, in spite of the theoretical basis for the tune, the voicing of the arrangements remains the same. Plus, each tune allows for individual expansion of the theme as the musicians, obviously enjoying the session, stretch out for spirited improvisation.
The forceful restraint of the sextet on those six tracks, with its close voicing, anticipation of the beat and memorable solos, makes the album one worth reinvestigating.

01 - Every Man Is A King
02 - For All We Know
03 - Blue Silver
04 - Something In Common
05 - Bolivia
06 - Seven Minds

Sam Jones (bass) Blue Mitchell (trumpet) Bob Berg (saxophone) Slide Hampton (trombone) Cedar Walton (keyboard) Billy Higgins (drums)
NYC, September 13, 1977