I know that I’ve said this before, but just when you think you’ve heard every hard bopping trumpet player, Spain-based Fresh Sound Records digs into the magma to find another undiscovered gem. This time, it’s Don Sleet (1938-61), and he had a tone like he was weaned on Blue Note Records, with that glorious glow similar to Blue Mitchel, Kenny Dorham and Chet Baker. This 1961 album has him in the heavy company of a rhythm section including Wynton Kelly/p, Ron Carter/b and Jimmy Cobb/dr (what would Miles say?) as well as tenorist Jimmy Heath blowing smoke rings on most of the material.
Sleet is polished like the grill on a 49 Buick on the classy “Brooklyn Bridge” and Bakeresquely lyrical over Cobb’s deft brushes for “Secret Love” while the drummer snaps like balsa wood on the crisp quartet reading of “Fast Company”. Carter does some tricky work with Cobb on the “Airgin”ish “The Hearing, Kelly is kind of blue glassy on “But Beautiful” as Heath smolders like a campfire. Who’s been keeping this album from me?
Ther are also a couple tune with Sleet teaming with a more R&Bishteam and vocalist Gloria Smyth on an earthy Afro Cuban take of “Runnin’ Wild” and a soulful and palpable “Sometimes I’m Happy”. This album makes you beg, “Please sir, may I have some more?”
https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/don-sleet-albums/55347-all-members-bonus-tracks.html