Making a living in the swinging Count Basie Big Band for years, trombonist Al Grey an saxist Billy Mitchell got together on their own for a bit to put out some adventurous hard bop that bounces like Bud.
The collection of studio recordings from 1962 are going to surprise you, as ; you’ve got Bobby Hutcherson/vib, Floyd Morris/p, Dave Burns/tp, Herma Wright/b and Eddie Williams/dr getting into a gospel mood with tambourine on “Nothin’ But The Truth”, with Grey’s tenor blowing warm embers on “Just Waiting”. Hutcherson’s vibes chime gloriously with Wright on ”RBQ” and “Green Dolphin Street”. Next up is a later session in the year with a couple changes, but Grey plunges into deep waters n “Through the Night” and Grey is bel canto on “Stardust”” with the horns soulful on a “Night and Day”-ish “Laughing Tonight”.
The double disc concert set will raise some eyebrows, as a 1961 gig at the Mseum of Modern Art includes Art Davis/b, Ray Barreto/cong and Jules Curtis/dr to dig in deep on “Bluish Grey” and a bopping Wild Deuce”. But things really liven up when Donald Byrd/tp, Herbie Hancock/ and Bobby Hutcherson/vib jump on stage for a ’62 Birdland set that sizzles on “Grey’s Blues”. Grey is smooth on the exotic “ Bantu” and Mitchell careens around “Minor On Top”. Where has this recoding been.
The second disc is from1962 Birdland gigs with Doug Watkins as the bassist for a greasy “Home Fries” and a rich “African Lady”, with a team with Burns/tp, Herman Wright/b, Eddie Williams/b and Bobby Hutcherson/vib stretching out on “Melba’s Blues” and “On Green Dolphin Street”. Flying sparks from Basie alumni.
https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/al-grey-billy-mitchell-albums/56638-studio-recordings.html