Nat Adderley: Talkin' About You

Seems like coronetist Nat Adderley (born 1931) has been around forever. But no one really started listening to him in his own right him until the unfortunate early death of his older brother in 1975. It's a true shame. Because there is ample evidence of this guy's gifts on many Cannonball records (1959-1975) and, surprisingly, nearly three dozen recordings of his own. Talkin' About You, its title a dedication to Cannonball, is a typically strong set recorded in 1990 and first released on Orrin Keepnews's Landmark label. No surprises occur, but it's one solid set that benefits from Nat's sterling work on coronet and highlights alto player Vincent Herring's frighteningly cloned Cannonball sound. Herring is a great player in his own right. But it's scary to hear how well he has mastered his idol's sound, right down to intonation, punctuation, ideas and execution.

Former Cannonball associates and hard-bop veterans bassist Walter Booker and drummer Jimmy Cobb are another benefit to this set's success. Highlights include the soul-jazz of Nat's "Talkin' About You, Cannon," the swinging bop of his "Plum Street," the Cannonball soul of pianist Rob Bargad's "Mo's Theme," the blues of Victor Feldman's "Azule Serape" and Jimmy Heath's "Big 'P'" (the last two are notably resurrected from the Adderley's 1960 Riverside LP, Live At The Lighthouse ). The standards, while professional and well-intended, don't add much, but are few in number. One can only hope the availability of Talkin' About You will encourage listeners to think twice about Nat Adderley's talents. He's left his own legacy and this set sums it up rather nicely.

Tracks:Talkin' About You, Cannon; I Can't Give You Anything But Love; Arriving Soon; Plum Street; Azule Serape; Ill Wind; Mo' Theme; Big "P."

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