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Various: The Prestige Legacy Vol. 1: The High Priests
ByStarting the tour with Miles Davis’ “Down” and the now legendary supporting cast of Rollins, MJQ mainstays Lewis and Heath, and Roy Haynes on sticks things kick off auspiciously. Listening to this tune and it’s follow-up, Rollins’ infectiously syncopated “Mambo Bounce,” it’s hard to fathom the reputation Prestige had as a second class label prone to slapdash blowing sessions. Instances of noticeable roughness do creep up in these pieces, but it’s tempered with a rollicking confidence that’s rare even in the most carefully rehearsed studio settings. Monk’s pair of three-minute masterpieces “Little Rootie Tootie” and “Bemsha Swing” are similarly spellbinding thanks mainly to the pianist’s already intensely original ivory hunting and the presence of either Blakey or Roach in the drum chair. Blakey’s signature press rolls incite the action on “Tootie” while Roach takes the honors on “Bemsha” stretching the beat to a near snapping point.
Two more from Davis turn the hands of time forward to 1953. “Compulsion” is arguably most famous for the addition of Charlie Parker (under the transparent moniker of Charlie Chan) on tenor and “When Lights Are Low” reconvenes the rhythm team of Lewis and Heath, this time with Roach carving out the rhythms behind the kit. Four tunes from 1954 follow Monk’s early reading of the near extemporaneous “Let’s Call This” including a brief solo run through of “Just A Gigolo” that is filled with just the right measure of shyness tinged with sadness. Coltrane takes things out on the tail end with four more beginning with briskly rendered “Sunday” and winding down with the ballad “You Say You Care,” backed by his favorite rhythm section of the moment, Garland, Chambers and Taylor. On the latter the early influence of Dexter Gordon is nakedly apparent both in his phrasing and tone.Again, all of these tunes as well as the albums from which they originate are essential. As a reasonably priced sampler designed to pave the way for further purchases or as the ideal demulsifying soundtrack to a particularly harried drive to work this compilation definitely fits the bill. Pick this up for the friend or relative who’s still on the fence about the artistry of jazz.
Track Listing
Miles Davis- Down/ Sonny-Rollins- Mambo Bounce/ Thelonious Monk- Little Rootie Tootie/ Thelonious Monk- Bemsha Swing/ Miles Davis- Compulsion/ Miles Davis- When Lights Are Low/ Thelonious Monk- Let
Personnel
Miles Davis- trumpet; Sonny Rollins- tenor saxophone; Thelonious Monk- piano; John Coltrane- tenor saxophone; Bennie Green- trombone; John Lewis- piano; Percy Heath- bass; Roy Haynes- drums; Kenny Drew- piano; Art Blakey- drums; Gary Mapp- bass; Charlie Parker- tenor saxophone; Walter Bishop- piano; Philly Joe Jones- drums; Max Roach- drums; Davey Schildkraut- alto saxophone; Horace Silver- piano; Kenny Clarke- drums; Frank Foster- tenor saxophone; Ray Copeland- trumpet; Curley Russell- bass; Tommy Potter- bass; Art Taylor- drums; Clifford Brown- trumpet; Richie Powell- piano; George Morrow- bass; Paul Quinichette- tenor saxophone; Mal Waldron- piano; Julian Euell- bass; Ed Thigpen- drums; Johnnie Splawn- trumpet; Sahib Shihab- baritone saxophone; Paul Chambers- bass; Albert
Album information
Title: The Prestige Legacy Vol. 1: The High Priests | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Prestige Records