So in the first 3 months of 2012, this was the best CD I came across
Jimmy Owens-The Monk Project
Acquired: Jazz Record Mart
Rating: 96
I am actually not a huge fan of "tribute" sides. It seems as in the last fifteen years or so, major jazz labels have been cranking out tribute sides in a misguided effort to get sales from jazz fans who want something "familiar". Speaking as one buyer of Jazz CD's, I don't usually go looking for stuff I've heard before. But I digress.
I think I heard of this side reading the Elements of Jazz blog. Donna tends to post the jazz charts, and I was able to find this on Spotify. I realized I'd have to take a trip into the city to get this side. Growing up there were no decent record stores out in the 'burbs. Funny how things have come full circle.
The material choices are excellent. Some Monk hits, but plenty of the more obscure including one track I'm not sure if I've ever heard. The line up is killer. While it's just a combo date, having Howard Johnson on the track enables there to be mulitple colors between Tuba and his Bari playing. There are 4 horns total, Jimmy on trumpet, Wycliffe Gordon and Marcus Strickland on Tenor add with Howard.
The rhythm section is the best you could hope for on a straight-ahead date. Kenny Barron on piano, Kenny Davis on Bass and Winard Harper on drums.
The arrangements are all pretty fresh takes on these classics too. I'm glad I broke my "no tribute sides" rule for this. If you have that rule too, you'll be glad you picked this up.
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