Art Of Milt Jackson/Soul Brothers CD

2 LPs on 2 CDs: THE ART OF MILT JACKSON-THE ATLANTIC YEARS (1975)/SOUL BROTHERS (w/ Ray Charles) (1957).
Personnel includes: Milt Jackson (vibraphone, piano, guitar); Ray Charles (alto saxophone, piano); Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Frank Foster (tenor saxophone, flute); John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins, Lucky Thompson, Billy Mitchell (tenor saxophone); Horace Silver, John Lewis, Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Jones (piano); Kenny Burrell, Skeeter Best (guitar); Percy Heath, Oscar Pettiford, Eddie Jones, Bill Crow, Paul Chambers, George Duvivier (bass); Connie Kay, Art Blakey, Art Taylor, Kenny Clarke (drums).
Recorded between 1957 & 1961. Originally released on Atlantic.
Personnel: Milt Jackson (guitar, piano, vibraphone); Kenny Burrell, Barry Galbraith, Skeeter Best (guitar); Frank Wess, Bobby Jaspar (flute); Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Coleman Hawkins, Frank Foster, John Coltrane, Lucky Thompson (tenor saxophone); Sahib Shihab (baritone saxophone); Joe Newman (trumpet); Jimmy Cleveland (trombone); John Richard Lewis, Hank Jones , Horace Silver, Jimmy Jones , Tommy Flanagan (piano); Connie Kay, Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey (drums).
Liner Note Authors: Dick Katz; Bill Randle.
Recording information: A&R Studios, New York, NY (01/17/1956-03/14/1961); Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, NY (01/17/1956-03/14/1961); Capitol Recording Studios, New York, NY (01/17/1956-03/14/1961); Coastal Recording Studios, New York, NY (01/17/1956-03/14/1961).
Photographer: Lee Friedlander.
Arrangers: Quincy Jones; Ralph Burns.
This compilation covers a lot of ground, but still only touches on some of the highlights from Milt Jackson's many recordings for Atlantic. The vibraphonist's extensive, multi-faceted Atlantic catalog includes Jackson with John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins, and Ray Charles and with horns, woodwinds, flutes, strings, and a vocal chorus. All these settings are represented on this double CD, which is made up of a best-of package and a 1957 session with the then-26-year-old Charles playing alto sax and alternating with Jackson at the piano. No matter the context, Bags' artistry and fluent musical imagination are constant. Along with Jackson's sophisticated, bluesy bop, this well-programmed release has fine contributions from the aforementioned Hawkins and Coltrane on two tracks apiece; great work from Frank Wess and Bobby Jaspar on flute; and equally great work from Frank Foster, Cannonball Adderley, Sahib Shihab, and Lucky Thompson on saxophones. Charles' serious sax chops on the bluesy "Soul Brothers" date may surprise some listeners, but there's no doubt that he makes a formidable front line with tenor player Billy Mitchell. Guitar fans will also find a feast here -- Kenny Burrell, Barry Galbraith, and Skeeter Best are in the spotlight on several tracks. One minor anomaly: "How Long, How Long Blues" is on each of the discs in this compilation. It's a great track, though, so no big deal. ~ Jim Todd