Johnny Lytle • Blue Vibes & Happy Ground

Influenced by Milt Jackson, Cal Tjader and Lionel Hampton, who hailed him as one of the greatest vibes players on the scene today, Johnny Lyttle (born October 13, 1932) was noted for his brilliant technique and a personal sound ideal for the kind of grooving organ combo he led on Blue Vibes and Happy Ground, his debut albums from the 60s included here.

He was good enough to record with the best Louis Armstrong, Hampton, Wynton Kelly, even Miles Davis but, despite a prolific recording career, never achieved iconic status as a jazzman. That was probably more due to his desire for control over his music, which made him refuse to sign up for any major label, than to any lack of talent on his part. After these early recordings gave notice of his talent as a vibes player, chart success soon followed for Lyttle with albums like A Groove, The Loop and Moonchild, which increasingly featured his own compositions.

Whether swinging at uptempo or delivering a soulful ballad, all his work has the irresistible, soul-stirring warmth of a player admiringly nicknamed Fast Hands by his peers.

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Influenciado por Milt Jackson, Cal Tjader y Lionel Hampton, que lo aclamaron como uno de los más grandes intérpretes de las vibraciones en la escena actual, Johnny Lyttle (nacido el 13 de octubre de 1932) se destacó por su brillante técnica y un sonido personal ideal para el tipo de combinación de órganos que lideró en Blue Vibes y Happy Ground, sus álbumes de debut de los años 60 incluidos aquí.

Fue lo suficientemente bueno como para grabar con los mejores Louis Armstrong, Hampton, Wynton Kelly, incluso Miles Davis pero, a pesar de una prolífica carrera discográfica, nunca alcanzó el estatus de icono como jazzista. Eso se debió probablemente más a su deseo de control sobre su música, que le hizo negarse a firmar con cualquier sello importante, que a la falta de talento por su parte. Después de que estas primeras grabaciones dieran cuenta de su talento como intérprete de vibráfono, el éxito en las listas de éxitos pronto siguió para Lyttle con álbumes como A Groove, The Loop y Moonchild, que presentaban cada vez más sus propias composiciones.

Ya sea balanceándose en el uptempo o entregando una balada conmovedora, todo su trabajo tiene la irresistible y conmovedora calidez de un jugador apodado admirablemente "Fast Hands" por sus compañeros.

 Tracks:
“Blue Vibes” – Jazzland R 922
1. Blue Vibes (Johnny Lytle)
2. Over the Rainbow (Arlen-Harburg)
3. For Heaven’s Sake (Meyer-Bretton)
4. Movin’ Nicely (Milt Jackson)
5. Autumn Leaves (Mercer-Kosma-Prevert)
6. Mister Strudel (Lytle-Schwartz)
7. Canadian Sunset (Heywood-Gimbel)

“Happy Ground” – Riverside R 9470
8 . Lela (Johnny Lytle)
9. Secret Love (Webster-Fain)
10. When I Fall In Love (Heyman-Young)
11. Tag Along (Clark-Ness)
12. It’s All Right with Me (Cole Porter)
13. Happy Ground (Johnny Lytle)
14. My Funny Valentine (Rodgers-Hart)
15. Take the “A” Train (Billy Strayhorn)


Original sources:
Tracks #1-7, from the 12" album
Blue Vibes (Jazzland R 922)
Tracks #8-15, from the 12" album
Happy Ground (Riverside R 9470)

Personnel on "Blue Vibes":
Johnny Lytle (vibes); Milt Harris (organ); Albert Heath (drums).
Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, on June 16, 1960

Personnel on "Happy Ground":
Johnny Lytle (vibes); Milt Harris (organ); William Peppy Hinnant (drums).
Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, on March 23, 1961

Original recordings produced by Orrin Keepnews
Sound engineer: Ray Fowler

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