This album is a landmark recording for Hard Bop Records, and a
coup for the two leaders, who had the unforgettable privilege of
spending a day in the studio with one of their heroes, without
doubt one of jazz's greatest exponents, "The Maestro"
Cedar Walton.
Cedar Walton cemented his reputation as one of modern
jazz's elite pianists over forty years ago after playing with such
greats as John Coltrane and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and has
remained at the forefront of the music ever since. He still shows
no signs of slowing down, clearly demonstrated by the fact that as
soon as the session was over, he had to rush uptown to accept a
New York Nightlife 2007 award for Outstanding Jazz Soloist
of the Year at New York's famous Town Hall.
Joining Walton, Roberts, and the Fishwick brothers in the
studio was another very special guest (and another alumnus of Art
Blakey's Jazz Messengers), bass virtuoso Peter
Washington. With his warm, humble, and friendly
personality, his deep musical knowledge and professionalism, but
above all his astounding playing, it was clear to everyone present
that day why he's so highly regarded and sought after by so many in
the jazz community. His recording and performing credits bear
witness to this fact, as he has played with countless jazz legends
from all generations, and has appeared on more albums than many
people have had hot dinners!
This was no ordinary studio either, but the oldest working
studio in Manhattan, a place that's seen everyone from Charlie
Parker to Duke Ellington walk through its hallowed doors -
Nola's Penthouse Studio.
As well as the quintet's usual focus on the co-leaders'
original compositions, the band recorded some unique arrangements
of their favorite standards, and one of Cedar Walton's many
outstanding compositions, "Head And Shoulders"(first heard on
Walton's debut as leader on Prestige in 1967, entitled
"Cedar!").
All in all, this was a truly memorable session, which
yielded some truly memorable, swinging music!
PRESS REVIEWS :
Fresh off the press. Bam!!! Incredible.
These artists are the preservers of the classic Blue Note Hard
Bop/Be Bop sound of the 1960s. Every one of their albums are
authentic representations of one of the greatest eras of Jazz from
THE greatest Jazz label of all. As with their other CDs, this may
as well have been recorded by Rudy Van Gelder in 1964. Retro?
Why not. Classic is really the term to use - there's not been
better Jazz made than that era. This CD captures the spirit
perfectly with incredible playing from all involved. Most songs
here are originals but may as well be classics. To take the CD to
another height it features one of THE all-time legends of
Jazz pianist Cedar Walton (and playing better than ever!), so
on all levels there are many reasons why you must not hesitate to
buy this.
Snowboy - Blues and Soul Music
Magazine
Proud to have US piano master Cedar Walton on board, yet no way
overawed by his presence or by recording in Manhattan's hallowed
Nola studio, London's Fishwick twins give good accounts of
themselves here. Trumpeter Steve contributes a couple of originals
and drummer Matt, who spent five productive years in New York, gels
comfortably with Walton and US bassist Peter Washington. Osian
Roberts, a Welsh tenorist remarkably close to Hank Mobley's unique
sound, also performs well. The hard-bop school of Horace Silver,
Art Blakey and Clifford Brown had a timeless quality and these
Anglo-American experts are strong enough to keep it alive.
Rating: **** (four stars)
Jack Massarik - The Evening
Standard