1. The Athlolete
2. V.H. 1
3. American Experience
4. Almost Like the First
5. Anne’s Mood
6. Sweet Georgia Bright
7. You Know My Eyes
8. Metropolis Blues
9. Elation
10. Peace
Vincent
Herring – Alto sax, soprano sax
Dave
Douglas – Trumpet
Bruce
Barth – Piano
James
Genus – Bass
Mark
Johnson – Drums
Tex
Allen – Trumpet
Clifford
Adams – Trombone
John
Hicks – Piano
Marcus
McLauren – Bass
Beaver
Harris - Drums
Rodney
Jones is added on guitar on track 2.
Monte
Croft is added on vibes on track 5 and vocals on Track 10.
Tracks
1,2,4,5,6,9&10 were recorded with the first personnel list in
October 1989.
Tracks
3,7&8 were recorded with the second personnel list in April 1986.
Vincent Herring is the latest in a long line of alto sax players to strike
a new path for jazz. Interestingly Vincent has brought with him something
of most of his predecessors - from Charlie Parker to Cannonball Adderley
- and then added the Vincent Herring ingredient. He has an immediately
identifiable style and terrific drive as well as great creativity
and a freshness of approach. I have heard records he has made since
this date and he gets better and better!
On this particular record he is in great company. The rhythm sections from
both sessions are great and both Dave Douglas and Tex Allen on trumpet
fit the leader’s style very well. The compositions come from other
contemporary players as well as from members of the group. Sweet
Georgia Bright from Charles Lloyd and Peace from Horace
Silver would class as jazz standards. The original compositions are
great; I have often complained that jazz CDs are full of tunes that
you will never hear again after that particular CD, but these are
all worthwhile.
I am a little confused as to why two sessions, three years apart where only
the leader is the common player, should be mixed together, but as
the music is all so good, I guess it doesn’t matter.
Like all the greatest players, Vincent Herring always has the capacity to
surprise the listener. I have always admired Phil Woods: the element
of surprise has always been present in his playing. In many ways there
is a similarity in their approach to jazz, which fits well with my
suggestion that Vincent has learned from all who went before and learned
it well, but that is his launch base.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
Nimbus
NI 2711
