"The Blues and the Abstract Truth" by Oliver Nelson on Impulse! A-5

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"The Blues and the Abstract Truth" by Oliver Nelson on Impulse! A-5

A classic Impulse! title that you should own.

“Stolen Moments” is the opening tune of this album and it stands out. Freddie Hubbard plays such a wonderful solo on this beautiful, soothing and calm piece of music. It’s composed, like all the other tunes on this album, by Oliver Nelson. The personnel on this session is a dream line-up, consisting of Nelson on tenor and alto, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Eric Dolphy on alto and flute, George Barrow on baritone, Bill Evans on piano, Paul Chambers on double bass and Roy Haynes on drums.

Another favorite tune is “Cascades” which is a great up-tempo piece, with very nice arrangements in the opening theme, and it features a sweet solo by Bill Evans. The whole album is very enjoyable and Nelsons compositional skills are impressive. It’s a nice mix of tunes. I dig Oliver Nelson a lot and I’ve added a couple of more titles with him as a leader to the collection during the last year, both on New Jazz.

I’ve been after this title for quite a while. I purchased a copy a couple of years ago but it had a skip, so back it went. Have been keeping an eye out for a long time. It seems that it’s not easy to get your hands on a copy. Not many nice original copies surfaces. My copy is in beautiful condition, both the vinyl and the jacket, so I’m a happy boy. It definitely is a title to have from the Impulse! catalogue. If you don’t have it yet, do yourself a favor and try and find a copy, any copy or pressing. This music is worth having for sure.

Some questions: Your take on this particular album? Other favorite Oliver Nelson albums? Also, we’re at the halfway point of the calendar year. Up to this point, what are some of your favorite acquisitions?

I’ve had some very good few months lately, where I’ve been able to add some new stuff to the collection. A lot of Blue Notes and this Nelson LP. Excited to share them here on the site with you guys, together with all the other titles I haven’t posted yet. So, stay tuned for more vintage jazz vinyl coming up.

Until next time, stay cool in the heat… cheers!

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"One Flight Up" by Dexter Gordon on Blue Note 4176

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"One Flight Up" by Dexter Gordon on Blue Note 4176

Another superb Reid Miles cover design. Highly recommended album.

This is actually my first album with Dexter Gordon as a leader and it’s a great one. Been after a couple of Dexter albums before, “Go” for example, but never pulled the trigger. So I’m happy to have added this title to the collection. Recorded in 1964 in Paris. Gordon lived in Europe for an extended period of time. The album features fellow Americans Donald Byrd on trumpet, Kenny Drew on piano and Art Taylor on drums. The double bass is played by Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and he’s Danish.

The over 18 minute long tune “Tanya” kicks off the album and it’s nothing short of superb. Very bluesy, swaying, and contains a wonderful solo by Gordon. He just plays from the heart and it seems to last forever. Very nice. Byrd then plays an inspiring solo as well. The two other tunes are great too. Gordon was a master when it came to playing the ballad and shows that here on the sweet “Darn That Dream“. Beautiful stuff.

Haven’t focused a lot on Dexter Gordon in the past. I’ve listened a bit to his albums but not much at all. One Flight Up really leaves me with a sense that I want to explore Gordon a lot more in depth. All of his Blue Note releases first and foremost maybe. I’ve listened to some of them and they are very enjoyable.

Question: Maybe you can give me some hot tips on some of your favorite Dexter Gordon albums?

Been on a real Blue Note kick lately and I’m happy to have been able to add several new titles to the collection. Some really good stuff in the 4000 series. And a landmark title in the 1500 series as well. Stay tuned for those. Have several albums from other labels as well that I haven’t posted, and I’ll maybe try and mix them in between all the new Blue Notes.

Summer is a beautiful season here in Sweden and the warmth and sunshine is really making life a bit easier. Vacation time is coming up soon as well so it’s all good. Have a great rest of the week, cheers!

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