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5.0 out of 5 stars
Jazz completists, alert!, July 25, 2007
This review is from: Sextet (24bt) (Mlps) (Audio CD)
This album from Charlie Mariano comprehends a session recorded by Bethlehem Records in Los Angeles in December 21, 1953. The line up is the following: Charlie Mariano (alto saxophone), Stu Williamson (trumpet -1/4,6), Frank Rosolino (!! trombone -1/4), Claude Williamson (piano), Max Bennett (doublebass), Stan Levey (drums) a who's who in terms of West Coast Jazz. The cover is the original work of art by the great Burt Goldblatt and I mean, this is how things should be done, my compliments to Emi-Toshiba Japan for their dedication to the art of Jazz and for their integrity. Their reissues are absolutly work of art in themselves. The album is short due to the obvious limitations of the fifties technology. But it is splendid music and if you love west coast jazz or jazz in general you have to own this. The line up is exceptional and we can consider this a "two leaders" album to say the least. Infact there are at least two absolute stellar soloists, Charlie and Frank Rosolino. Two absolute bop giants. Infact Charlie here was in his first period and plays "strictly bebop"... Frank always did, so you have the picture. The program is more on the fast side, only the standard "You go to my head" is taken at ballad tempo. The originals are very nice west coast bop examples. In the end .... the swing these guys were able to deliver is completly effortless. An album that every serious jazz completist should own.
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