Customer Reviews

Modern Touch

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When your sophomore album features Kenny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Max Roach, you know you've arrived. Benny Golson's "The Modern Touch," recorded in December 1957, was only his second recording as a leader for the Riverside label, but by this point in his career he had already lent his compositional and arranging talents to dozens of other classic jazz albums. But in my opinion, Benny wouldn't hit his solo stride for another year-and-a-half, until his three amazing recordings from 1959 -- "Groovin' With Golson," "Gettin' With It" and "Gone With Golson" (see my reviews if you like). Don't get me wrong "The Modern Touch" is quite good, but Golson seems to get overshadowed by his high profile peers. Still, for Golson or Jazztet fans it is well worth getting, and since it's a limited edition (like most of his OJC discs), get with it soon.

This is so musical, so wonderful. If you're exploring jazz, this disc makes obvious what people like about great tunes and arrangements, creative soloing, and virtuoso playing. Especially if you want something hip, but something non jazz experts can dig, try this very cool, very musical recording. Just great music.