Gene Ammons' Allstars - Complete Recordings / 2CD set

The three albums included in this set come from two straightforward blowing sessions played by two outstanding all-star groups of jazzmen, under the leadership of muscular tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons. The organizing force behind these sessions was Mal Waldron, responsible for seven originals and the unpretentious charts on both datessimple, uncomplicated vehicles on which the players happily take flight.

On Blue Gene the horns complement each other in terms of style and tonal balance, with trumpeter Idrees Sulieman in bitingly good form and Pepper Adams contributing some tearaway baritone solos. The Waldron-Watkins-Taylor rhythm section, with Ray Barretto on congas, is strong and reliable. Full of soul, both Groove Blues and The Big Sound come from the same date, with much good blowing by Adams, Jerome Richardson adding his customary unhurried taste on flute, a pungent Paul Quinichette on tenor, and a self-confidently gutsy John Coltrane playing alto in his tenor style. Waldrons excellent and unobtrusive comping and soloing, propelled by Joyner and Taylors rhythm work, are other positives. And Ammons is as strong and sure of himself as ever, giving pleasure with his uncluttered, heated playing and sure sense of swing.

CD 1
01. Blue Gene (Mal Waldron) 13:54
02. Scamperin' (Mal Waldron) 8:46
03. Blue Greens n Beans (Mal Waldron) 9:01
04. Hip Tip (Mal Waldron) 8:55
05. Ammon Joy (Mal Waldron) 13:16
06. Groove Blues (Gene Ammons) 9:32
07. The Real McCoy Mal Waldron) 8:32

CD 2
01. That's All (Brandt-Haymes-Otis-Owens) 13:57
02. It Might As Well Be Spring (Rogers-Hammerstein) 11:33
03. Cheek To Cheek (Irving Berlin) 14:12
04. Jug Handle (Mal Waldron) 10:10
05. Blue Hymn (Gene Ammons) 12:37
06. Can't We Be Friends? (James-Swift) 12:54