Ultra Rare, Funky, Soul and Experimental Blue Note Grooves !
Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 02/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, first a description... George Braith is somewhat of a Roland Kirkish figure best known for his work with Big John Patton and Grant Green. He plays an interesting instrument called a Braithe-o-phone that's sort of like two horns melded into one, allowing him to play chords and harmonies (not just melodies) behind the people he accompanies. His sound can be soulful and gospelly at times, yet it is also stretched out, spacy and experimental as well. Backing him on these sessions (in addition to Grant Green) is the late great Billy Gardner on organ, who's playing has the modernism of Larry Young, yet the off center minimalism of Big John rolled into one. The most fascinating thing about the compositions on these albums aren't the cats showing off their chops but the way they can imply with one note what others would need hundreds to say... and the way they can be so funky and mysterious sounding at the same time. Up til now,you may have encountered cuts of his such as Boop Bop Bing Bash and Mary Had a Litle Lamb on various Blue Note compilations, but pretty much til now, he's been moreso a footnote in the Blue Note catalogue despite the bubbling originality those tracks hint of. If you're a true Blue Note rare groove collector, you've probably been waiting for this CD for a while - - and if you haven't, once the sound samples are up you'll know why I'm going to call this the release of the millenium.... Not only has the music of George Braith been long been out of print, but the original vinyl of the few albums he did put out have have been pricey items for any collector - - and now, here it is, essential classic Blue Note rare groove listening available for you at the click of a button.Get multiple copies of this one... Its one of those CDs you'll even be lending out to your friends (and never see back )! ! !"
An unsung Blue Note hero!
Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 02/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a resissue of the three albums that Braith cut for Blue Note. They chart a development of styles during the two years ('63 and '64) that Braith led his own sessions. Listening to the first set "Two Souls in one", immediately sent me back to the compilation "The Story of Jamaican Music" to listen again to the West Indian roots that were at a cross roads. The Jamaican based artists confined with the strictures of 45rpm records, and Braith able to stretch out and develop his own style. Listen especially to the two traditional tunes "Mary Ann" and "Mary had a little lamb" for echoes of the Caribbean. By the second session "Soul Stream" Braith and his sidesmen (three diffferent drummers on the three sessions the only variation) were moving into different areas. There's only one 'traditional' track "Billy Told" and the title track and "Boop Bop Bing Bash" (most recently on the Grant Green retrospective) are good examples of where Braith was headed. By the third session from March 1964 issued as "Extension" there's a further development, good examples of the direction he was now headed in are the title track and "Out here". The playing is everything that Eddie says it is, and I echo and endorse what he says about buying several copies. This album deserves a wider listening audience, and as is so often the case with these kinds of Blue Note releases, unlikely to be about for very long. Buy it now!"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1