These tracks were recorded at Ven Gelder Studio on Saturday, January 20, 1962, but not released until the latter half of 1987. While revitalizing the label in the mid-'80s, Bruce Lundvall and Michael Cuscuna started rereleasing classic Blue Note albums while also clearing the vaults of previously unreleased recordings by Blue Note artists. That last part is where this album comes in and the late release explains the uncharacteristic album cover they chose instead of a Reid Miles-inspired classic Blue Note design.* This 1985 article in CashBox magazine suggests that Alfred Lion didn't release some '60s albums because the material was "just not up to Blue Note standards." I will note that the article is vague about which recording Lion was referring to. I also couldn't find any printed example where this release was publicized or promoted. The only printed reference of the album I could find was a simple ★★★ rating in The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999).
The sextet present at the session is of an unusual instrumentation, most notably the presence of two tenor sax players. Regardless of instrumentation or quality, I simply couldn't pass up an album from Quebec because I love his tone.
Quebec - tenor saxophone
Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Bennie Green - trombone
Sonny Clark - piano
Milt Hinton - bass
Art Blakey - drums
CD liner notes by Michael Cuscuna.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Tracks:
Tracks are the usual mix of standards and originals from Quebec and band members Green and Turrentine. The album gets off to a weak start, picks up in the middle, and ends in spectacular fashion with the three best cuts, all standards: I've Got A Crush On You, Nancy (With The Laughing Face), and Easy Living.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None
Previously revisited for the blog:
Blue & Sentimental (1963)
Heavy Soul (1962)
*When the album was reissued on vinyl in 2013, it was given a more appropriate album cover:
Blog post #2200
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