By Charlie B. Dahan
Taking a cue from the success of the Ken Burn's CD releases where several labels contributed to a particular artists disc, so that most all the eras were covered, two cornerstone labels of jazz, Blue Note and Verve teamed up to release several artists works in their newly dubbed "Essential Series." In addition to recordings from the Blue Note and Verve vaults, the definitive series includes recordings from amongst others, the Capitol, Impulse, Pacific Jazz, Emarcy labels, as well. While not covering the entire breath of one artists work, the buyer receives a wider spectrum of music than in the usual "Artist: Best of the Blue Note Years"-type of releases It is nice to see that these labels are putting the consumer first and by doing so, all involved stand to turn a nice profit. The artists covered in the initial series are Jimmy Smith, Bud Powell, Art Tatum, Nat 'King' Cole, Chet Baker, McCoy Tyner and Cannonball Adderley.
Collections that provide a wider expanse of periods of the artist career are not only more enjoyable to listen to, but are fun as the listener maps out and follows the artists evolution and incorporation of new influences.
The Definitive Jimmy Smith
This collection studies the two distinct periods in the early stage of Smith's amazing career. The Blue Note years examines Smiths work in the more stripped down ensemble situations, such as on the Gillespie penned "The Champ" and the 20 minute work out with Lou Donaldson, Lee Morgan, Tina Brooks, Kenny Burrell and Art Blakey on "The Sermon." His move to Verve shows Smith equally brilliant in a big band situation. Since most of Smith's career has been spent at either Blue Note or Verve, this disk provides the best overview in a concise but poignant one CD offering.
The Definitive Art Tatum
This collection with the exception of the last track, Indiana, showcases Powell's solo piano recordings from 1934 to 1952. The listener is treated to a pianist who is not only one of the greatest ever, but whose music stands the test of time. Powell's performances and arrangements of tunes from the Gershwin's pop "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" to the WC Handy blues composition "Aunt Hagar's Blues" sounds as if it was recorded yesterday. While his recording of "Tiger Rag" is sorely missing from this collection, the listener will, nonetheless, find this album enjoyable and entertaining.
The Definitive Bud Powell
This collection resides in the 'must own' category for any fan of jazz pianists. Powell without a doubt displays a truly unique understanding and feel for his instrument and his music throughout this definitive collection. Pieces of note include "Celia," "Cherokee," and the Latin tinged "Un Loco Poco." Also evident in this collection is that Powell's playing took off to new and exciting dimensions when surrounded by the best of the best musicians. Some 'sidemen' of note include drummers Max Roach and Roy Haynes, Fats Navarro Sonny Rollins and Ray Brown. Powell's collection earns the distinction of the best collection in this series.
The Definitive Nat 'King' Cole
The revelation of this collection lies not in Cole's smooth vocal stylings but his ability at the piano. Once Cole managed to crossover into the white pop charts, he was viewed as a singer and only a singer. This collection not only explores Cole's vocal virtuosity but his talents as a pianist and on one track, a composer. Evidence of Cole as a triple threat exists on the recording of "Straighten Up and Fly Right." Outside his work as a trio with Oscar Moore and Johnny Miller and his work with the Lester Young Trio, Cole's voice and piano also soars in a big band setting on "Riffamarole." This collection succeeds in its mission to explore all angles of this dynamic and important artist and shed new light onto Cole's ten fingers.
The Definitive Chet Baker
Historically one of the most underappreciated cool jazz players of all time, this definitive collection seeks to prove Charlie Parker's statement to Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie that "they need to watch out for this guy." The collection starts with Baker's early works with Gerry Mulligan in 1952 and ends with a live recording in Stockholm in 1983. Throughout this thirty year retrospective, Baker's command of the trumpet shines as he plays within the dynamic boundaries of the music with ease and true musicianship. Baker is perhaps overlooked as a true great jazz trumpeter because of his skin color, his many infamous missteps due to his addictions and personal demons or the plethora of amazing trumpeters that were his contemporaries. Whatever the reason, this collection, too, achieves it's goals of showing Baker as a master jazz trumpeter.
The Definitive McCoy Tyner
While best known for his work in the John Coltrane Quartet, Tyner made several fantastic recordings as a leader. His signature style truly evolves in this collection culminated from 1962 to his 1995 recording of Coltrane's "Naima" on his heralded "McCoy Tyner Plays John Coltrane" release. Tyner's attack on the left and his esoteric stylings on his right is traced on this collection and documents well his evolution from a great sideman to a great band leader. Another collection that succeeds in it's mission to bring more prominence to it's subject.
The Definitive Cannonball Adderley
Much like Tyner, Adderley's membership in one of the most well known jazz groups and recording tends to over-shadow his prowess as a leader. This shadow is easily cast aside on track two on Adderely's collection in the recording of his brother, Nat's, tune "One for Daddy-O," which features Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones and Art Blakey. What truly sets Adderley apart from his contemporaries lies in the joy and spirit he brings to the music while they search for new ways to play and compose it. Adderley's collection displays his dynamic range, zest for life and passion for music.
Other recordings in this definitive series to be released include Clifford Brown, Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, George Shearing, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and Joe Williams.
