Gene Ammons - Makes It Happen (1948-51) [re-rip]

This 1967 Cadet release repackages the 1958 Chess date Soulful Saxophone, itself a session originally recorded in 1950 in the months prior to Gene Ammons' landmark stint with the Prestige label--and while the provocative cover suggests a collection of lush romantic ballads, Gene Ammons Makes It Happen is instead deep and dark, underscored by the tenorist's potently soulful sound. A melancholy reading of "My Foolish Heart" was Ammons' first hit and sets the tone for the remainder of the material, which boasts an affecting, late-night atmosphere--the music absolutely marinates in echo, transcending the waking world into the dreamscape. ~ Jason Ankeny, AMG.

Argo Records, LPS-783, 1967

Cadet Records, CA 783, 1977

Recorded October 1948 through May 1951 in Chicago, Illinois

12^th October, 1948; (#B5)

28^th February, 1949; (#B4)

8^th January, 1950; (#B1)

2^nd May, 1950; (#A1,A3,B3)

August, 1950; (#A2,A4)

3^rd May, 1951; (#A5,B2)

Personnel:

Gene Ammons - Tenor Saxophone

Bill Massey - Trumpet (#A1-A4,B3)

Matthew Gee - Trombone (#A1-A4,B1,B3)

Charlie Bateman - Piano (#A1-A4,B3)

Gene Wright - Bass (#A1-A5,B2,B3)

Wesley Landers - Drums (A1-A4,B1,B3,B5)

Sonny Stitt - Baritone Saxophone (#A2,A4)

Junior Mance - Piano (#A5,B1,B2)

Teddy Stewart - Drums (#A5,B2)

Jesse Miller - Trumpet (#B1)

Leo Blevins - Guitar (#B1,B4)

Leroy Jackson - Bass (#B1,B5)

Christine Chatman - Piano (#B4,B5)

Lowell Pointer - Bass (#B4)

Ike Day - Drums (#B4)

Tom Archia - Tenor Saxophone (#B5)

Tracks:

A1. My Foolish Heart {Victor Young, Ned Washington} (2:48)

A2. Prelude To A Kiss {Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, Irving Mills} (2:59)

A3. Goodbye {Gordon Jenkins, Benny Goodman} (3:08)

A4. Can Anyone Explain {Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss} (2:52)

A5. It's You Or No One {Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn} (2:43)

B1. Pennies From Heaven {Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnston} (2:36)

B2. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe {Harold Arlen, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg} (2:48)

B3. You Go To My Head {J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie} (2:59)

B4. Once In A While {Michael Edwards, Bud Green} (3:11)

B5. It's The Talk Of The Town {Jerry Livingston, Marty Symes, Al J. Neiburg} (2:50)

Preserved in the tracks of this album are ten memorable performances that represent an early Gene Ammons. This time, these sounds have been further enhanced through the process of re-channeled stereo. The crooning tones emanating from Gene's tenor on these ballads are the ideal purveyors of warmth and thoughtfulness of a quiet mood. To those who recall with fondness the excitement created by these recordings when they first were issued, this album will be a welcome treat. This album is a good starting place, and as you listen to evergreens like My Foolish Heart, Prelude To A Kiss, Pennies From Heaven, Once In A While, and You Go To My Head, I'm sure you'll nod in agreement with this album title ...Gene Ammons always MAKES IT HAPPEN. ~ Excerpts from Liner Notes by Burt Burdeen (WSDM, Chicago).

Credits:

Cover Photo - Michel Ditlove

Art Direction - Howard Blume, Bill Sharp

Note:

Originally released in 1959 as "Soulful Saxophone" [Chess Records - LP 1442]

Al Grey - Boss Bone (1964) [vinyl]

Soul jazz trombone session, recorded in Chicago, with players like John Young on piano, Leo Blevins on guitar, and Ike Isaacs on bass. The groove is tight and hard, and Grey wrote a lot of catchy originals for the session. Titles include "Tacos & Grits", "Salty Mama", "The Give Off", and "Grey Being Blue". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

This well-loved LP truly demonstrates that Al Grey at the time of recording was the ‘Boss Bone’. He has such a sweet tone that just literally sings along with the music. In addition, Al showcases his writing ability; six out of the nine compositions are his creation, the other three are reliable jazz standards which he plays with great finesse. This is all achievable by the wondrously harmonic playing of the rest of the group. Both the pianist and guitarist in particular blend perfectly with Al’s bone with some marvelous soloing. Considering the condition of the vinyl, with some tweaking the sound comes off well, Enjoy!

Argo Records, LP-731, 1964

Recorded 17^th December, 1963 at Ter Mar Studios, Chicago, Illinois

Musicians:

Al Grey - Trombone

John Young - Piano

Leo Blevins - Guitar

Ike Isaacs - Bass

Phil Thomas - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Smile {John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons, Charlie Chaplin} (2:38)

A2. Terrible Cap {Al Grey} (3:01)

A3. Mona Lisa {Jay Livingston, Ray Evans} (3:27)

A4. Tacos And Grits {Al Grey} (3:18)

A5. Can't You Feel It {Al Grey} (3:59)

B1. Salty Mama {Al Grey} (3:24)

B2. The Give Off {Al Grey} (4:06)

B3. Day In Day Out {Robe Bloom, Johnny Mercer} (5:13)

B4. Grey Being Blue {Al Grey} (3:45)

Credits:

Supervision - Esmond Edwards

Engineer - Ron Malo

Cover Photo - Don Bronstein

Liner Notes - Daddy-O Daylie