Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 04/08/1997
Run Time: 33:38
This essential single-CD combines altoist/arranger
Benny Carter's classic
Further Definitions with the related
Additions to Further Definitions. The former set was a revisit, instrumentation-wise, to the famous 1937 session that
Carter and tenor saxophonist
Coleman Hawkins made in France with two top European saxophonists (
Andre Ekyan and
Alix Combelle) and guitarist
Django Reinhardt. The all-star group (which also includes
Hawkins, altoist
Phil Woods,
Charlie Rouse on second tenor, pianist
Dick Katz, guitarist
John Collins, bassist
Jimmy Garrison, and drummer
Jo Jones) performs a particularly inspired repertoire.
Carter's charts, which allow
Hawkins to stretch out on
"Body and Soul," give everyone a chance to shine.
"Honeysuckle Rose" and
"Crazy Rhythm" hold their own with the 1937 versions, and
"Blue Star" and
"Doozy" prove to be two of
Carter's finest originals. The second date does not quite reach the same heights, but is enjoyable in its own right. This time,
Carter contributed six of the eight selections (including a remake of
"Doozy"), and the band was gathered from jazzmen then working in the L.A. studios, including
Carter and
Bud Shank on altos, and tenors
Teddy Edwards and either
Buddy Collette or
Bill Perkins. Although
Benny Carter was not actively playing much at the time (this was his only small-group recording during 1963-1975), he is heard in typically prime form. Very highly recommended.
~Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
;)
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