Rare and superb
Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 05/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD reissues 2 rare and obscure LPs from the 1950s, both by different groups, but similar in approach. Neither of these LPs features "blowing session" playing, popular at the time, but rather excellently arranged and nicely executed compositions, most of them originals. The sides by the Westchester Workshop, originally recorded for RKO-Unique in 1956, are superb in every way. Most were penned (and arranged) by alto saxist Vinie Riccitelli and feature nice interplay among the musicians in a variety of settings. Trombonist Eddie Bert is perhaps the best known musician here, though some will recognize Gene Allen and Carmen Leggio, and gets the most solo space, though all the front-line players solo well. This is great stuff and deserves more recognition.
The John Glasel sides appeared first on a Jazz Unlimited LP in 1959, and are a bit more introspective than the Westchester Workshop tracks. The group explores some advanced concepts; KOL ANGKOR WAT has many Mingus-like qualities and STABLEMATES is taken a tad slower than usual and digs deep into its harmonic structure. The same is true with the two slow ballads MORE THAN YOU KNOW and Glasel's DAYDREAM, which sounds exotic and eerie. The inclusion of tuba, alto horn, French horn, and trombone adds a mysterious air to most of the playing.
I doubt either of these LPs got much playing time when they first came out, and it's great that Fresh Sound saw fit to give them another hearing now. It's an interesting CD with lots of wonderful modern jazz on it."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1