Freddie McCoy - Listen Here (1968) [re-rip]

One of the hardest to find albums by this lost 60s soul jazz vibist - and all of his albums are pretty darn hard to find! The album's also perhaps his best - as Freddie takes a little more straight funky jazz approach, and loses some of the pop feel of his other albums. There's 2 different groups on here - one a bit large, and with Wally Richardson, Bernard Purdie, and Dud Bascomb; the other a groovy quintet with Joanne Brackeen on electric piano and Gene Walker on Varitone. The album includes a great cover of "Listen Here", plus "Stone Wall" and "Short Circuit". ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

Prestige Records, PRST 7582, 1968

Recorded 10^th June, 1968 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Freddie McCoy - Vibraphone

Wilbur Buscomb, Edward Williams - Trumpet (#A1,B2)

Quentin Jackson, Melba Liston - Trombone (#A1,B2)

Gene Walker - Varitone (#A1,B2)

JoAnne Brackeen - Electric Piano (#A2-A3,B1,B3), Organ (#A1,B2)

Wally Richardson - Guitar (#A1,B2)

Raymond McKinney - Bass (#A2-B1,B3)

Jimmy Lewis - Electric Bass (#A1,B2)

Bernard Purdie - Drums (#A1,B2)

Al Dreares - Drums (#A2-B1,B3)

Montego Joe - Congas (#A1,B2)

Tracks:

A1. Don't Tell Me That {Freddie McCoy} (4:51)

A2. Short Circuit {Freddie McCoy} (6:44)

A3. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (5:25)

B1. Listen Here {Eddie Harris} (7:24)

B2. MacArthur Park {Jimmy Webb} (7:45)

B3. Stone Wall {Milt Jackson} (3:17)

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger, Conductor - Dave Blum

Cover Design - Don Schlitten

Cover Art - Jo Schwalbach

Sleeve Notes - Fred Norsworthy

Billy Strayhorn's Septet - Cue For Saxophone

Another superb gem from the Felsted label, reissued by Affinity.  Johnny Hodges plays under the pseudonym Cue Porter, and the rest of the group need no introduction.

A real great feel to this side as the band swing through an incredible songlist.  This copy is super minty and an absolute joy to listen to... enjoy!!!

Composer/arranger/pianist Billy Strayhorn led surprisingly few sessions throughout his career, and this was only his second full-length album. Actually, the main star is altoist Johnny Hodges (who goes here under the pseudonym of "Cue Porter"), while Strayhorn (who plays piano on the seven songs) only co-wrote two basic tunes ("Cue's Blue Now" and "Watch Your Cue") with Hodges and played a fairly minor role. Also in the septet are three fellow Ellingtonians (trumpeter Shorty Baker, trombonist Quentin Jackson and clarinetist Russell Procope), along with bassist Al Hall and drummer Oliver Jackson. The results are a fine mainstream session (which has been reissued on this CD) with highlights including "Gone With the Wind," the ten-minute "Cue's Blue Now" and "Rose Room." ~ Scott Yanow/AMG

Affinity AFF-166

1986

Recorded in NYC Apr. 14th, 1959

Billy Strayhorn (piano), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Cue Porter [a.k.a. Johnny Hodges] (alto saxophone), Harold "Shorty" Baker (trumpet), Russell Procope (clarinet), Al Hall (bass), Oliver Jackson (drums).