Customer Reviews

Quota

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Is this the best Jimmy Heath album? The best is such a difficult term for this artist, who recorded a string of fine Lps including The Thumper, On The Trail, and Swampseed for Riverside in the early 60s. Each one displays his considerable gifts as a composer and arranger. He attracted some of the best musicians of the day and elicited inspired playing from the likes of Freddy Hubbard, Julius Watkins, Cedar Walton and brothers Percy (bass-MJQ) and Albert "Tootie" Heath on this release. The title track is a medium tempo bop number of the "hip" variety, featuring solos by all hands(except the drummer). You could easily envision this composition as a big band number. "Lowland Lullaby" begins life as a jazz waltz before shifting into a straight-ahead solo of warmth, economy and precision. Freddie Hubbard in particular shines on this number. "Thinking of You" by Kalmar and Ruby (orginally composed in 1927 and later translated into a memorable dance number by Fred Astaire in the 1950 film, "Three Little Words") is a vehicle for Jimmy Heath to show how beautifully he can breathe new life into a pre- swing era tune, territory he shares with the likes of his contemporary, Hank Jones. Perhaps the best I can say is that this album displays Jimmy's playing at its peak and is guaranteed not to disappoint lovers of straight ahead jazz. Either this set,The Thumper, or Swampseed make the best introduction to Jimmy Heath's work. The later Big Band sides should be heard after these to gain a full appreciation of this too often neglected master player/composer.

"The Quota" released in 1961 is a swinging album of original tunes and arrangements by saxophonist/composer Jimmy Heath. I think Heath is a vastly underrated jazz musician. The few recordings he released under his leadership have been stellar and this is one of them. Joining Heath are his brothers Albert on drums and Percy on bass with Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Julius Watkins on french horn, and Cedar Walton on piano. Amazing session from this sextet.

It's amazing that this recording is out-of-print, but it's not surprising, because that's how record company's make money by creating demand. Hopefully you will be able find a copy here on Amazon through sellers like Newbury Comics who seem to have a large supply of out-of-print OJCs. All of Jimmy's albums are highly recommended.

After a glorious debut with "The Thumper" (see my review), tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath returned to the studio in April of 1961 to record "The Quota" for the Riverside label. Joining Jimmy on these sessions were his brothers Percy and "Tootie" on bass and drums respectively, Julius Watkins on French horn, Cedar Walton on piano, and Freddie Hubbard on trumpet. This album, full of Jimmy's excellent originals and tight arrangements, was so successful that the same group was brought into to cut Heath's "Triple Threat" nine months later. If you are interested in meeting this "Quota," you should do so quickly as it is a limited edition title.

I can't add much to what has been said in the other reviews of this release. It's a tightly arranged straight-ahead jazz session featuring talented musicians who are well-known in jazz environs. Jimmy Heath is not only an excellent musician. He is a fine arranger. There used to be a peanut butter commercial that used the slogan "If you like peanuts, you'll like Skippy." In my opinion, if you like hard bop, you'll like The Quota. Of course, if you don't, you might need to look elsewhere. This release contains a very soulful, creative, rendition of "When Sunny Gets Blue." I've heard a fair number of instrumental versions of this song but I view this one as definitive.

I wish I could buy it and download it right now....... If I could I would.......... In this day and age it is almost .... Almost unbelievable, almost inconceivable that an MP3 version doesn't exist... perhaps I'm being too melodramatic .... However after listening and reflecting on what I had heard .... I wanted it right away.... But unfortunately AMAZON pulled an I-TUNES type situation on me... to my utter disappointment.

Maybe if I'm a good boy all year Santa Clause will bring me the MP3 for Christmas ..... Hopefully some MP3 retailer will beat him to a December 25th delivery date.... Hopefully.... because this is a TERRIFIC ALBUM a quite little masterpiece. 1961 was a great year for Jazz, Sports Cars and Electric Guitars ... 1961 it was a very good year ....