King Fleming just left this earth to his eternal destiny on April 1 of this year at the tender age of 94. I only wish I had heard of him, as well as heard him sooner, but at least we have this 2 disc testimony of his career to let us know what we’ve missed.
He mostly kept a low profile in the Chicago area. How come I missed him when I went there? Anyway, get a load of these three sessions from 1960, ’62 and ’65 whe he fronts a (mostly) trio in the Windy City. He’s got a mix of Ahmad Jamal’s spaciousness and rhythm, Errol Garner’s rollicking joy and Ramsey Lewis’ soul all throughout here. Just let a piece like”Overt” run over you like a joyful steamroller. Other times, he chimes like a church bell as on “Moonlight In Vermont” or cascades on “On Green Dolphin Street.” As far as swinging, he’ll take you to Kansas City on “One O ‘Clock Jump” and bounces with delight on “Taking a Chance on Love.” The trio on ‘60s Misty Night includes unknowns Rail Wilson/’b, Royce Rowan/d and a few cameos by AUbrie Jones. For 1962’s Stand By, Malachi Favors comes to the bass roll, and Charles tepney adds vibes on a lyrical “Time Out” and “Song of Paradise.” Fleming’s trio for the 1965 The Weary Traveler has Melvin Jackson/b and William Cochran/dr, all as obscure as this pianist, and you’ll scratch your head wondering why, as the interplay on all these bands is as gently sympathetic as anything Ahmad Jamal was doing at the same time. You’re gonna love this one!
Fresh Sound Records