A FORGOTTEN BEBOP VOCALIST…Earl Coleman: The Collection 1946-56

In the post WWII years, the most popular black singers had the rich baritone delivery, like Billy Eckstine, Nat Cole and Johnny  Hartman. Among those bop era crooners was Earl Coleman, best known for his rendition of “Dark Shadows”” with Charlie Parker (which is included here). This two disc 22 song collection . He’s teamed with Sonny Rollins’ team of Kenny Drew/p, Max Roach/dr and George Morrow on gorgeous takes of “My Ideal” and “ Two Different Worlds” and is sup ported by Texas tenor Gene Ammons on a suave “I Haven’t Changed a Thing”. With all star Don Lanphere/ts, Al Casey/tb, Fats Navarro/tp, and Max Roach/dr , Cole is hep to the jive on a vocal version of Yardbird Suite”, “ A  Stranger In Town” and “As Time Goes By”. There are a pair of versions of his popular “This Is Always” and he takes  it easy on swingers like “It’s You Or o One”. His deep sorghum of a voice has held up well over the years, and this collection will hopefully help you appreciate a singer who got lost between the cracks.

www.acrobatmusic.com

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