Ray Bryant - Slow Freight (1966) [re-rip]

A killer album by soul jazz pianist Ray Bryant! The title track, "Slow Freight", is an amazing 10 minute groover that moves at a very slow pace (just like a freight train), and which features some very cool ad-lib talking by Paul Serrano - a pretty groovy touch that really adds a lot to the track! Ray's piano is in the lead, with a sinister soulful groove – and he's backed by his patented two-trumpet rhythm sound, played here by Art Farmer and Snookie Young - blasting away with a tightly vamping approach that's really in the groove. The rest of the record's great too - and other tracks include "The Fox Stalker" and "Return Of The Prodigal Son". One of Ray's best ever! © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Ray Bryant always surrounds himself with pros; he's one and he wants nothing but the finest with him. The end product justifies the means. This is an excellent album. ~ Extract from Liner Notes by E. Herbert.

Cadet Records, LPS 781, 1967

Recorded 8th December, 1966 at RCA Studios in New York City

Personnel:

Ray Bryant - Piano

Art Farmer - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Snookie Young - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Richard Davis - Bass

Freddie Waits - Drums

Paul Serrano - Cool Talking (#A1)

Track Listing:

A1. Slow Freight {Ray Bryant, Esmond Edwards} (9:19)

A2. Amen {Traditional} (4:59)

A3. Satin Doll {Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn} (6:52)

B1. If You Go Away {Jacques Brel, Rod McKuen} (4:49)

B2. Ah, The Apple Tree {Johnny Mercer, M. Philippe-Gerard, Angele Vannier} (3:34)

B3. The Return Of The Prodigal Son {Harold Ousley} (5:04)

B4. The Fox Stalker {Ray Bryant} (3:35)

Credits:

Producer, Supervisor - Esmond Edwards

Recording Engineer - Ray Hall

Photography, Design - Esmond Edwards

Liner Notes - E. Herbert