Houston Person - Stolen Sweets (1977) [vinyl>flac]

Person is a master of moving, luxuriant melody, of sweeping, tuneful saxophone lines. Much of his best work--in person and on record--is devoted to attractively structured pop songs--and this collection is no exception. On "At Last" and "Skylark", Person conjures up his richest, warmest ballad sound. "If Ever I Would Leave You" finds Houston fluent and exhilarating at a faster tempo. On "Stolen Sweets", one hears echoes of Jug's brusque tone and soulful emotion. Finally, on "T-Bone Steak", finds Person riding an earthy, instrumental blues and getting excellent support from organist Sonny Phillips and guitarist Jimmy Ponder. "Stolen Sweets" is unabashedly recommended. I think you'll agree that Houston Person and his band play my kind and your kind of jazz--music that is mellow, relaxed, warm, tasty and inventive. In startling contrast to the tenseness and turbulence fashionable in some jazz quarters, Houston Person offers a joyful, soulful musical experience, ~ Excerpts by Jon Lissner, New York Times; from Liner Notes.

Muse Records, MR 5110, 1977

Recorded 29^th April, 1976 at Blue Rock Studio, New York City

Musicians:

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone

Jimmy Ponder - Guitar

Sonny Phillips - Organ

Frankie Jones - Drums

Buddy Caldwell - Congas

Tracks:

A1. If Ever I Would Leave You {Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe} (10:38)

A2. At Last {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (7:42)

B1. Stolen Sweets {Wild Bill Davis} (5:35)

B2. Skylark {Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer} (7:31)

B3. T-Bone Steak {Jimmy Smith} (6:32)

Credits:

Producer - Michael Cuscuna

Recording Engineer - Eddie Korvin

Art Direction, Design, Photography - Hal Wilson

Liner Notes - John Lissner, New York Times

This is album could easily be rated as one of Houston Person's best on Muse, if not definitely to be noted as a great sounding Soul Jazz LP from the classic 70's. Person is in excellent form producing some fantastic up-tempo and plenty of robust tenor sounds. The assortment of tunes allows him to display his masterful skills as a very talented ballad player to just breaking out into some juicy funk number. He is joined by a mighty crew; with Jimmy Ponder on guitar given many opportunities to perform some riveting solos; and along with Sonny Phillips' magnificent swirling organ the listener is taken on one hell of a Soul-Jazz-Funky ride. Backing these great men are two percussion and rhythmic experts in Frankie Jones and Buddy Caldwell. Right throughout the album their driving beats assist the soloists to hold it perfectly together. The only real fault is that its joyful ride ends so quickly. There's one thing to do just spin it again.