Customer Reviews

Tanganyika

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

 

 

The cover and the title tend to make you think you're going to experience something like Herbie Mann's 'Sugarloaf - Jazz Impressions Of Brazil', a musical reaction to a country and its culture, but that's not really what's on offer here. Sure, there is a track called 'Tanganyika' and another called 'Jungle Pogo Stick' and a third titled 'A Walk On The Veldt' but their connection to Tanganyika (Tanzania) or any other part of Africa is pretty hard to discern. No matter, because what we have here is a great session from the Capital Records Studios in Hollywood CA on Oct 11, 1956 with Buddy Collette and John Anderson blowing up a storm, driven along by Chico Hamilton on drums and with some very sympathetic guitar from Jim Hall. Round it out with Gerald Wiggins on piano and Curtis Counce (ex-Shorty Rogers) on bass and you have a very cool offering that always pleases. There are no fireworks but none are intended. This album swings easily along on its solid foundation of seasoned players in tune with each other's moods. The cover design is by Johnny Otis, whose 'Coming Back For More' rounds out the set magnificently.

The official title of this release is "The Buddy Collette-Chico Hamilton Sextet Tanganyika." It was produced by disc jockey Sleepy Stein. It was recorded on 11 Oct 1956 at Capitol Records Studios in Hollywood, originally issued as Dig Records J-101, and at some point reissued as Tampa # 34. This CD reissue is on the VSOP label.

In its vinyl form, it's the kind of LP collectors drool over. Looking at the roster, it seems promising. But Jim Hall only plays a solo or two--most of the time he's comping. Bassist Curtis Counce, whose records leading his own band are West Coast jazz classics, doesn't pluck a lot of strings here.

Sleepy must have dozed off because there's some strange gain-riding on some of the tracks. It's more swing than bop, and that makes me bleary. It's an amateurish production--I hate it when jazz tracks just fade out. Chico Hamilton went on to a high-profile career, as did Jim Hall and Curtis Counce. I'm not familiar with trumpeter John Anderson and pianist Gerald Wiggins.

Sometimes non-musicians like DJs and critics move from fan to label owner. In the case of Nat Hentoff and Bob Koester, who knew what they were doing, it works out great. Sleepy Stein should have stuck to spinning records and advertising cigarettes and laundry detergent. I'm sure he's pushing up daisies somewhere, so he won't mind these comments.

2 Stars: the first track is the best.