The
Red Rodney-Ira Sullivan Quintet was one of the finest groups of the
early 1980s. Rodney had an opportunity to play fresh material;
Sullivan gained more exposure than he ever had in his career; and
pianist Garry Dial was given high-profile and challenging writing
assignments; bassist Barry Smith and drummer Steve Bagby completed
the band in mid-1981. On this Muse LP (their fourth of six
recordings), the musicians perform fresh versions of two standards
("Night and Day" and "You Leave Me Breathless"),
plus four challenging originals. Sullivan plays trumpet on three of
the six pieces, alto on two, and soprano on one. The exciting
"Dial-A-Brew" is a highlight of this recommended (but sadly
out of print) set. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.
This
studio date was the final Muse session for this band and it is truly
a monster! Ira plays trumpet along with Red on three of the tunes,
alto on a couple and one on soprano. It is kind of a rare sound with
two trumpets fronting a quintet but Ira's versatility gives this band
a lot of sounds to work with; as a result none of these albums sounds
quite like the last. Ira's alto solo on Muck and Meyer is so strong
you have to wonder why he didn't use that horn more. Well worth
repeated listens, Enjoy!
Muse
Records, MR 5274, 1981
Recorded
15th & 16tth June, 1981 at Nola Studio, New York City
Musicians:
Red
Rodney - Trumpet (#A1,B3), Flugelhorn (#A2-B2)
Ira
Sullivan - Trumpet (#A1,B3), Alto Sax (#A1,B1), Soprano Sax (#A2)
Garry
Dial - Piano
Barry
Smith - Double Bass
Steve
Bagby - Drums
Tracks:
A1.
Night And Day {Cole Porter} (4:03)
A2.
You Leave Me Breathless {Frederick Hollander, Ralph Freed} (6:20)
A3.
Babies {Jeff Meyer} (5:55)
B1.
Muck And Meyer {Jeff Meyer} (5:25)
B2.
Frito Mistos {Jeff Meyer} (5:20)
B3.
Dial-A-Brew {Garry Dial} (6:11)
Credits:
Producer
- Bob Porter
Engineer
- Malcolm Addey
Mastering
Engineer - Joe Bresco at The Master Cutting Room, NYC
Cover
Concept and Photo - Arthur Paxton
Back
Photo - Hugh Bell
Liner
Notes - Richard M. Sudhalter
