Search - Frank Strozier :: Fantastic

Truly fantastic

Tim Shaw | Alexandria, VA | 12/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you happened across this CD, you are in for a treat. Frank Strozier is a lesser-known altoist who shines and soars on this, his first date as a leader. It is unfortunate that his playing was overshadowed by other, though deserving, sax players of the same era. This album is particularly exciting due to the playing of trumpeter Booker Little. Booker's remarkable solos and interpretations of the mostly original Strozier tunes (not to mention his own tune "Waltz of the Demons") are full of emotion and inventiveness. The rhythm section is none other than that of Miles Davis-Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb. The well-honed interplay between these three more than adequately back the dynamic duo of Strozier and Little. This album is over 75 minutes of fantastic hard-bop (edging on post-hard-bop)."

Simply Fantastic

Julian Meyers | Jersey City, NJ | 09/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have known of the great though not well known Frank Strozier for many years. In fact he is the man that made me want to become a saxophone player, the very night I heard him live when i was nine years old.

I purchased some of the music on this release on cassette several years back. This Cd is so much better. The audio quality of the music has been improved, and more importantly this release includes alternate takes of some songs.

It is a mystery why Mr. Strozier has not enjoyed the recognition he deserved then and still does. This early session with him as the leader is documentation to that point as he is heard here in top form both as a player and as a composer. The playing of Booker Little is the perfect compliment to Strozier's smooth alto. The use of the Miles Davis rhythm section of Jimmy Cobb, Wynton Kelly and Mr.PC Paul Chambers makes this release one that all true aficionados of Jazz should have in their collection"

As above-great altoist

C. Katz | Peoples Republic Of Massachussettes | 12/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Again not a house hold name but this guy had it going on.Great session basically with a Miles rhythm section.Not many people wanted to play alto as they's be compared with bird but Strozier deserves the recognition ,if not of Cannonball, to be up there with Sonny Stitt and others as a straight ahead hard bopper.Really lyrical and a swinger.And you put together any session with Booker Little and you knew you had if not the best an equal that was not surpassed by any of his contemporaries.MR.P.C and Wynton Kelly and Cobb?Hey it worked great for Art Pepper in "Meets The Rhythm Section" and they were THE rhythm section.A superb CD for those into the best Prestige and Blue Note dates of straight ahead hard bop.Probably best known tune that others have played is "Waltz Of The Demon's".A good un'!!!!!!

Cheers

Chazz"