The Grassella Oliphant Quartette • The Grass Roots

Review by Thom Jurek

The Grass Roots pairs the only two recordings drummer Grassella Oliphant ever released as a leader. He was a solid sideman in the 1950s with Sarah Vaughan, and then later with singer Gloria Lynne and organist Shirley Scott. Both these titles were released on Atlantic. The first, The Grass Roots, features saxophonist Harold Ousley, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, and bassist Ray McKinney. It's a varied date ranging from killer groove soul-jazz such as Ousley's "One for the Masses," covers of "Stardust" and "Mood Indigo," and hard bop swingers like "The Descendant" (also written by Ousley). Oliphant's playing is delightfully understated, but his contrapuntal work with Hutcherson is literally startling. Ousley's playing should be noted for its fury and tenderness, depending on the tune. His use of restraint is tentative because it allows him to bust it wide open at all the right moments with a big fat reedy tone.

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Reseña de Thom Jurek

The Grass Roots empareja las dos únicas grabaciones que el baterista Grassella Oliphant ha lanzado como líder. Fue un sideman sólido en la década de 1950 con Sarah Vaughan, y luego con la cantante Gloria Lynne y la organista Shirley Scott. Ambos títulos fueron publicados en Atlantic. El primero, The Grass Roots, presenta al saxofonista Harold Ousley, Bobby Hutcherson en vibraciones y al bajista Ray McKinney. Es una fecha variada que va desde el soul-jazz de groove asesino como "One for the Masses" de Ousley, las portadas de "Stardust" y "Mood Indigo", hasta los swingers de hard bop como "The Descendant" (también escrito por Ousley). El juego de Oliphant es deliciosamente subestimado, pero su trabajo contrapuntístico con Hutcherson es literalmente sorprendente. La interpretación de Ousley debe destacarse por su furia y ternura, dependiendo de la melodía. Su uso de la moderación es tentativo porque le permite abrirla de par en par en todos los momentos correctos con un gran tono de caña gorda.

Tracklist:
1 - One For The Masses - 4:34
2 - The Descendant - 3:00
3 - Star Dust - 4:02
4 - Uptown Hours - 4:04
5 - Mrs. O - 3:23
6 - Haitian Lady - 4:05
7 - Shiny Stockings - 4:10
8 - Grandfather's Waltz - 3:31
9 - Step Lightly - 4:36
10 - Mood Indigo - 3:16


Credits:
    Bass – Ray McKinney
    Drums – Grassella Oliphant
    Engineer – Phil Iehle
    Tenor Saxophone – Harold Ousley
    Vibraphone – Bobby Hutcherson

Notes:
Recorded in New York on January 19 (1,5,6,8,9) & 20 (2-4,7,10), 1965.

Label: Atlantic ‎– SD 1438
Released: 1965
Genre: Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz




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