Kenny Dorham - Four Classic Albums (Second Set) (2018)

UK Import

2018 compilation of four albums by trumpeter Kenny Dorham; another quality compilation from the British Avid label. Albums have been remastered and the original liner notes are included. I went looking for the Afro-Cuban album, but when I saw it was included in this compilation of 4 albums for only $12.33, I jumped at it. Three of the four albums were released on the Blue Note label; Jazz Contrasts was released on Riverside. Turns out Dorham is a Texas native and, according to critic Will Friedwald, an “eternally underrated bebop trumpet icon.” All things considered, this set was quite a pleasant discovery.

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AFRO-CUBAN (1957)
7 tracks, 35 minutes

The first four tracks were originally released in 1955 on the 10" Blue Note Modern Jazz Series, shortly before the label discontinued the format. In 1957, it was reissued on LP with additional tracks and new cover art. The latter incarnation is what is represented on this CD. And what a fun CD it is - quality solos from familiar names over "new" Latin grooves fused with the swinging hard bop of the '50s. Sort of taking over where Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo left off.

1957 liner notes written by Leonard Feather.

Dorham - trumpet
Hank Mobley - tenor sax
Cecil Payne - baritone sax
Horace Silver - piano
Art Blakey - drums
Jay Jay Johnson - trombone (tracks 1-4)
Carlos "Patato" Valdes - congas (tracks 1-4)
Oscar Pettiford - bass (tracks 1-4)
Percy Heath - bass (tracks 5-7)

Reviews/ratings:

• Downbeat (1955) (★★★★): "Kenny has rarely sounded as consistently at inventive ease as on this set."
• Billboard (1955) (71 out of 100): "an often exciting brand of jazz"
• CashBox (1957): "Striking jazz performances"
  
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: Of the first 4 tracks, my top picks are Afrodisia and Minor's Holiday. The later-added tracks 5-7 aren't Afro-Cuban, but still enjoyable, particularly K.D.'s Motion.

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'ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT AT THE CAFÉ BOHEMIA (1956)
6 tracks, 44 minutes

Recorded on Thursday, May 31, 1956 at the Café Bohemia in Greenwich Village, New York City.

Dorham's melodic soloing is featured throughout this tight live session which contains a nice blend of originals and standards. Plus, the recording provides furthur evidence as to why Kenny burrell is one of my favorite guitarists. Judging by the crowd noise, Cafe Bohemia was quite an intimate setting and man-oh-man would I love to have been there that night.

Blue Note will soon release a 2 CD edition of this album which includes 17 tracks: The Complete 'Round About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia. And yes, of course I'm considering a purchase.

Original 1956 liner notes written by Leonard Feather.

Dorham - trumpet
J.R. Monterose - tenor sax
Bobby Timmons - piano
Kenny Burrell - guitar
Sam Jones - bass
Arthur Edgehill - drums

Reviews/ratings:

• Downbeat (★★★★): "well constructed, building, personal, emotional, rhythmically secure and of an absorbing consistency of invention at all tempos and moods."
• Billboard (77 out of 100): "there are moments enough of excitement to warrant great interest"
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: The standards mentioned above are A Night In Tunisia, Autumn In New York, and the title track, which the group handles with a sort of informal sophistication if that makes any sense. The other three are all Dorham originals. All are good, but Mexico City is the star.

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