Bennie Wallace - Moodsville (2001/2016) [DSD128 + Hi-Res FLAC]

Bennie Wallace is an American Jazz tenor saxophonist. He has cited Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins among many major saxophone influences. He recorded on the revived Blue Note label in 1985 - the original label provided much of the key music of his formative years. "Moodsville" is one of his finest and most lyrical sessions. Recorded direct to 2-track Analog Tape at Systems 2 in New York in May the session features some of the hottest jazz musicians currently working in the US: Mulgrew Miller, Peter Washington and Lewis Nash. The sound and feel of the album is very close to that of the great Moodsville and Prestige recordings of the 50s and 60s featuring artists like Gene Ammons.

Bennie Wallace is unlike any tenor saxophonist, often alternating between a soulful, fat tone (which is very similar to Ben Webster's approach) and sudden unpredictable jumps (no doubt inspired by alto saxophonist Eric Dolphy). Joined by an outstanding rhythm section consisting of pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Lewis Nash, Wallace explores favorites from the swing and bop eras, with his bandmates providing a solid anchor underneath his flights. Two gems from the pen of Billy Strayhorn, the rhapsodic "My Little Brown Book" and the fragile ballad "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing," stand in a class by themselves with Wallace's fresh interpretations. Both theLatin-flavored arrangement of "Love for Sale" and Dizzy Gillespie's "Con Alma" pack a powerful punch, while "Milestones" (the earlier one which Miles Davis recorded for Savoy, though it was actually composed by John Lewis) takes a far more adventurous route than typically heard.

This excellent session demonstrates a mature artist with a very distinct sound, which should be the ultimate goal of every jazz musician. This highly recommended Album is one of Bennie Wallace's best sessions of his long, very fruitful career.

Tracklist:

01 - I'll Never Smile Again
02 - Con Alma
03 - April In Paris
04 - Milestones
05 - When A Man Loves A Woman
06 - Love For Sale
07 - My Little Brown Book
08 - I Concentrate On You
09 - A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing

Produced by Joe Harley.
Recorded by Joe Marciano at Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY on May 14 and 15, 2001.

Musicians
Bennie Wallace - tenor saxophone
Mulgrew Miller - piano
Peter Washington - bass
Lewis Nash - drums


Thanks to the Original customer!