Ted Curson - The Trio (1979) [vinyl>flac]

Review by MikeShera, Jazz Journal November 1979:
The acidic trumpet of Curson is combined well with the strong bass of Ray Drummond, and the complex and intricate drumming of Roy Haynes, to produce an album rarely descending to the commonplace. The trio work extremely well together as a unit, dominated by a bass player whose dexterity and strength is not unfortunately matched by an attractive tone. Roy Haynes' drumming has never been more intricate though he also remembers to swing as well. The exoticism of Curson, whether playing trumpet or fluegel horn, certainly ensures that the listener never goes to sleep, but equally he can never be accused of being too relaxed in his approach! My personal preference is for the second side of this album, where Straight Ice is the closest performance on the record to what could be described as a straightforward piece, and Round Midnight which receives the expected pungent treatment. Only on Pent-Up House is there anything resembling the work of the late Clifford Brown, Curson's early influence.

1. Snake Johnson
2. Pent-up House
3. Quicksand
4. Straight Ice
5. 'Round Midnight

Ted Curson (t/pic-t/flh/pc); Ray Drummond (b); RoyHaynes(d).
NYC, January 3, 1979.
(Interplay IP 7722)