Various Artists: Jazz After Dark

Playboy Jazz seeks out and finds the real thing on Jazz After Dark, a two-disc collection of downtempo numbers. Each of these slow ballads comes with a serious pedigree. Duke Ellington and his orchestra feature Johnny Hodges on “Prelude to a Kiss.” Monk interprets “’Round Midnight” as no other artist can. Miles performs “My Funny Valentine” with his quartet. John Coltrane and Kenny Burrell form a duo for “Why Was I Born?” Similarly, Ella and Joe Pass maintain the slow pace with a lovely duet on “At Last,” and Tony Bennett interprets “You Must Believe In Spring” with pianist Bill Evans.

Disc One is dedicated to instrumental ballads, while Disc Two presents fourteen memorable vocal performances. Everything runs nice and slow. Each of these passionate ballads has been released previously; most of them on the Concord Jazz label. The Jazz After Dark compilation puts similar items together for a unique session. While the label has proven to be – thus far – rather eclectic, this project manages to collect like themes. What’s more, Playboy Jazz has drawn upon the core of jazz for all of its material. Recommended, this two-disc album lives up to the esteemed reputation, with respect to mainstream jazz, that Hugh Hefner has carried for many decades.

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