Popular R&B vocals and possibly the purest horn in the 1950s are brought out by Avid Records.
One of the most popular and absolutely humorous vocal groups were the Coasters. They had numerous incarnations, and their first hit “Smokey J oe’s Café” was actually under the name The Robins. But, the oiriginals of Billy Guy, Leon Hughes an dAdolph Jacobs as well as later arrivals like Cornell Gunter and Will Jones had a series of hits, mostly written by the team of Leiber and Stoller.
The albums here mix between concept and “Greatest Hits” albums. Their debut album includes classics like “Searchin’”, …”Café” as well as the ribald “Mexico”. Their “Hits” album has almost everything you’ve ever first associated with The Coasters, with equally sax solos by by King Curtis on pieces like “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown”. They did an album that attempted to have the band reach out to the more mature generation by interpreting standards such as “Moon Glow” ap is nd “Moonlight in Vermont”, and it actually works out of well for a fish out of water release. Last up is their album that includes their two last top ten tunes, the hilarious “Little Egypt” and panting “Run Red Run”. Still sounding fresh and able to put a smile on your face.
Art Farmer is known as possessing possibly the most mellifluous tone on the trumpet, and he used it tastefully during his long career. Here, we have his mid 50s album; the first one a teaming p with alto saxist Gigi Gryce, Addison Farmer-Percy Heath/b, Kenny Clarke-Art Taylor/dr and Horace Silver-Freddie Redd/p for a mix of originals that include the moody “Blue Concept” and bouncy “Social Call”. The classic tune “ Farmer’s Market” is on the same-named 1956 album with Addison Farmer/b, Elvin Jones/dr, Hank Mobley/ts,, also shining on “By Myself”. Farmer’s horn sounds right at home in 1958 as he’s supported by a string orchestra arranged by Quincy Jones for some lovely takes of “Ill Wind” and “Two Sleepy People”. A 1960 album has Farmer teamed with Tommy Flanagan/p, Tommy Williams/b and Albert Heath, clear as a bell on “So Beats My Heart For You” and “Younger Than Springtime”. This is how a trumpet was made to sound.