Customer Reviews

From a to Z

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

 

 

While not the best collaboration between these two tenor giants of the 1950's, this small group swing session is first rate and features some fine performances by both Sims and Cohn. 16 tracks including alternate takes, this session was recorded in 1956 and includes the rhythm section of Osie Johnson, Milt Hinton, Dave McKenna/Hank Jones (alternating on piano) and not to forget Dick Sherman on trumpet. Good, solid swinging jazz. My only criticism is that the arrangements here are somewhat uninspired (or at least not very clever) when compared to some of Cohn's other sextet outings of the period. Recommended and well worth the price.

Al Cohn and Zoot Sims team up to provide a tightly woven, well-orchestrated album that will keep your toes tappin' and your face grinnin'

Their collective ability to show a lighter side and sense of humor on this album has made it one of the favorites in my collection, alongside Zoot's collaboration with Clifford Brown.

This 1956 studio session is a tasty sample of the memorable collaboration between tenor saxophonists Cohn and Sims. The 12 tracks from the original album (supplemented by four alternate takes) are short, ranging from three to four-and-a-half minutes, but still manage to include some nice improvisations. There's also some good small ensemble work on the tracks where the two tenors and rhythm are joined by Dick Sherman on trumpet. The rhythm section is Osie Johnson on drums, Milt Hinton on bass, and Dave McKenna and Hank Jones splitting the piano duties.
Maybe it's my bias as a saxophonist, but my favorite tracks are the ones without the trumpet, allowing more room for the tenors to engage in the back-and-forth musical conversations that they always did so brilliantly, and seemingly effortlessly. These include the up-tempo tunes "From A to Z," "Somebody Loves Me," and "Tenor for Two Please, Jack," plus the smooth and relaxed "East of the Sun."
This is an excellent jazz flashback to the 1950s rendered by two of that era's most notable sax men. The original liner notes are included.

Really classic tenor saxs from the mid 1950's, with the same mood and swing of "The Brothers!"