The latest reissues from Candid Records feature modern post bop and vintage blues…
Best known for his work with the last edition of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, alto saxist Donald Harrison returns to his New Orleans roots with a swinging album from 1992 with a hip guest list including Dr. John, Big Don Harrison Sr, Cyrus Chestnut, Carl Allen and Phil Bowler.The material ranges from classic standards like a scorching “Cherokee” to Mardi Gras favorites such as “Hiko Hiko” while “Uptown Ruler” grooves deeply. Dr. John is in festive form scatting to Harrison’s sax “Shave ‘Em Dry”. Crescent City joys.
Paquito D’Rivera just finished his stint with Dizzy Gillespie when he put together this bopping 1992 album with Claudio Roditi/tp, Mark Morganelli/fh, Danilo Perez-Pedrito Lopez/p, Harvie Swartz/b, Al Foster/dr and guest James Moody/ts-fl. D’Rivera is smooth as silk dueting with Swartz on “Out of Nowhere” , and the horns are blazing through a torrid take of “Giant Steps” with Perez shining on “You Got It, Diz” and Roditi heating up on “Who’s Smoking”. Burning like a Romeo et Juliet.
Pianist and vocalist Otis Spann records possibly his best album ever here on a 1960 session with Robert Lockwood/g and St. Louis Jimmy/voc. Spann’s touch on the piano is relaxed and intimate, completely simpatico with Lockwood on pieces like ‘Half AIn’t Been Told”, “Otis’ Blues” and “Walking The Blues”. St. Louis Jimmy is world wise and avuncular on “Bad Condition” and “ Come Day, Go Day” with Spann himself the epitome of the deep south on “My Home Is In The Delta”. Red clay blues.