Search - Duke Jordan :: Flight to Jordan

Slow- and mid-tempo, soulful blues

Frank S. Cohen | Leominster, MA | 01/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine recording for those who like slow, soulful bluesy numbers that approximate the sound of the more well-known Blue Note session, "Blue and Sentimental" by Ike Quebec. However, such slow numbers alternate with catchy mid-tempo blues numbers, the most outstanding of which is "Flight to Jordan," which opens the album. "Deacon Joe" is the outstanding slow-number that manages to swing very hard. However, Jordan's solid skills as a composer are evident thoughout the whole album. Also, I wish to highlight the pristine tone and mellow swing of trumpeter Dizzy Reece who is not as well known as Turrentine. Turrentine, even at this early stage (before "Up at Minton's") already sounds like his soulful self. This is an extremely well-paced session that provides a fine showcase of Duke Jordan as composer and pianist and, consequently, makes a pleasant, unique addition to any collection of music.



P.S. Michael Richman, another customer reviewer, is correct about the odd sound mix on the horn solos."

OK "Flight"

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Duke Jordan's "Flight to Jordan" is one of those Blue Note CDs that first appeared in the late 80s, but has been out of print for nearly 20 years, and its return to the catalog in the RVG Series is certainly appreciated. Jordan was the pianist for a handful of Blue Note sessions, most notably on Tina Brooks' stunning True Blue, but this was his first and only recording as a leader for the label. Joining him on this August 4, 1960 session are Dizzy Reece on trumpet, Stanley Turrentine on tenor sax, Reggie Workman on bass and Art Taylor on drums. The album originally consisted of six Jordan compositions, but two bonus tracks have been added to the CD version (both the 1987 edition and this RVG title) -- a seventh original, "Diamond Stud," and the standard "I Should Care." "Flight" certainly takes off, but the most annoying aspect of the disc is the way in which both Reece's and Turrentine's solos sound. They must have been initially recorded with a great deal of echo, because Rudy Van Gelder's own 2007 remastering doesn't clear up much. Dizzy, and more disturbingly Mr. T, sound like they are in a separate studio from the rhythm section, which disrupts the flow and communication of musical ideas for this listener. I consistently end up focusing on the tone and reverb of the horns instead of the improvisations and interplay of the artists. Thankfully, this spatial vacuum disappears when the entire band returns to state the concluding theme on any given track, otherwise "Flight to Jordan" would never even reach a cruising altitude."

One of the best Blue Note sessions ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C. Katz | Peoples Republic Of Massachussettes | 05/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alright not every one will agree.You have such iconic players with famous LP's like Hank Mobley (half a dozen on par with "Soul Station").Lee Morgan the same.Hancock,Shorter, it's a tough sell.But when it came to classic LP's I own this is is just killer one LP I'd never sell.Though at that point (and perhaps through his career) Jordan was an "ear" player who did not read fluently this is a classic hard bop session par excellence.Now if you've read my other reviews you know I am partial to the pure bebop players like Bud who played with Charlie Parker like Al Haig,Joe Albany, et. al. or those like Clause Williamson or Don Friedman who fit in that bag (if you have turntable find double LP "I Remember Bebop").I just love the song selection and flow of this album which obviously had a lot of direction from Alfred Lion as to what he wanted fro Jordan Dizzy Reece,Stanley Turentine,Reggie Workman,and Art Taylor (what a line up!!!!!!!!).They play all Jordan originals:

1)Flight to Jordan

2)Star Brite

3)Squawkin'

4)Deacon Joe

5)Split Quick

6)Si-Joya

The CD adds to original LP another Jordan tune:

and

7)I Should Care by Cahn, Stordahl, Weston

Though one would think the title track would be part of Duke Jordans next 40 year repertoire yet it was "Split Quick" and especially "Si-Joya" that was played more often and picked up by others.I can't get quite why "Deacon Joe" didn't become a standard as it's such a great tune.Again this is a subjective best but this has happened before.I agree with others say that among best of the best "Soul Station" is Mobley's only quartet and his iconic LP on Blue Note but with Sonny Clark I think that"Leapin' and Lopin" is hjis best not "Sonny's Crib".But this LP is as great as those core Blakey,Morgan,Mobley's,Byrd,Shorter and Hancocks or Hubbard's "Open Sesame" (really a Tina Brooks LP since he wrote 5 of 6 tunes on it) or for that matter Tina Brooks "True Blue" or "Blue Train".Now I know everybody could make up a list of favorite Blue Notes but not many would list this as among the best.It would of hundreds of great BN's be in my top 50.I would and recommend it to anybody who wants great playing and the sound of the label and the whole hard bop zeitgeist from a man who cut his teeth at and earlier bebop time and never left it.But here he adapted to create a classic.

Cheers

Chazz

"