Customer Reviews

Out of This World: The Complete Warwick Sessions

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Variable quality of the recording as its all in mono. The tune Out of this world sounds like they have only
included either left or right channel as the beginning of the tune is a bit off mike when Pepper and Donald plays.
Tune Curro's marred by some bad editing.
This recording is available in a few different releases, however none of them in a stereo version that apparently would
be existing somewhere if its not destroyed or lost.

Recommended to anyone who like Donald, Pepper and Herbie.

This is an astonishing collection of tunes recorded for Warwick Records in 1961 in New York. There's no sign of remastering, but the quality of the original sound is excellent. It's tagged as being by the "Donald Byrd/Pepper Adams quintet", but as much as it's about their peerless playing, it's also about the piano contribution of a very young Herbie Hancock, and the tightness of the the rhythm section of Jimmy Cobb on drums and Laymon Jackson on Bass. The three lengthy tracks are the ones to start with. The playing on "Byrd House" (10.50) sets the standard of what is to come. Obviously it's a Donald Byrd composition, but all three men get to solo peerlessly, and the ensemble playing is absolutely terrific. The initial highlight for me is a version of Byrd's "Curro's" (11.50) which gives everybody a chance to spread out, though Hancock's piano is (sorry, here's that word again!) astounding, and both the other frontline players are spurred on to deliver first-rate solos.The CD ends with a version of Arlen and Mercer's "Out of this World" on which Byrd's playing of the melody before Hancock solos is breathtaking, and when he plays the second chorus it's even better than the first! Track 6 has some muted vibraphone added to the mix from Teddy Charles. This is a "must have" set if you admire the playing of any of the three frontsmen. It's also worth looking out for some of the other sessions that have been re-released by this small Spanish label. Don't hesitate - order it immediately!

This recording captures some quintessential small combo interplay that only musicians of that caliber and that period could produce. I bought the vinyl 30 years ago because I'm a piano player and it was billed as a Herbie LP called "Jammin with Herbie Hancock" on TCB records. And even though I was blown away by young pre-Miles Herbie, I was even more blown away by Pepper Adams' playing and have listened to the recording many, many times to copy Adams' lines.

But mostly, I dig the way the group sounds. Authentic. The real deal.

This is a classic. I had been searching for this title for 15 years, and finally heard a cut on the radio and found it. One of the best classic jazz recordings out there!

It's obvious from this CD that Pepper was very influential to todays modern style of Baritone playing. This is a great CD that should be part of any Bari Players Collection!

If I am correct, this album was Herbie Hancock's first recording and it's really great. Pepper Adams and Donald Byrd do themselves proud on their performances. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.