Septet & Octet

Seminal modern work from trombonist Urbie Green -- a collection that features him at the head of a largeish group on three different sessions! First up is material from a 10" Blue Note album titled New Faces New Sounds -- a beautiful set of modernist bop tracks has GReen leading a septet with some other lively, lesser-known young players, including Jimmy Lyon on piano, Doug Mettome on trumpet, John Murtaugh on tenor, and Sam Staff on baritone. This is killer stuff from the days when the Blue Note image wasn't so clearly formed as it was in the late 50s -- with titles like "Johnbo Mambo", "La Salle", and "Incubator". Next up are 4 more titles from a rare 10" LP -- Urbie Green & His Band, featuring Freddie Green on guitar (instead of Raney), Ruby Braff on trumpet, Med Flory on alto, Frank Wess on tenor and flute, and Sir Charles Thompson on piano. The sound is somewhat more traditional, but never too much so -- and tracks include "Med's Tune", "Lullaby Of Birdland", "Old Time Modern", and "I Got It Bad". Last up is the full Bethlehem album Urbie -- one of the strongest albums ever cut by trombonist Urbie Green -- a player who had a heck of a lot of talent, but who unfortunately could sometimes end up in some schmaltzy settings. Fortunately, this isn't one of them -- as the group includes players like Jimmy Lyon on piano, Oscar Pettiford on bass, Osie Johnson on drums, and Ike Horowitz on tenor -- actually a nom-du-date for Al Cohn! The arrangements are tight, but never too much so -- and there's a good degree of spirit in both the playing, and the compositions -- some of which are by arranger Marion Evans. Titles include "Sneaky Pete", "Sassafras", "Melody In Bb", "How About You", and "Mutation". CD features 19 tracks in all.