Lionel Hampton • His French New Sound, Vol. 1-2

Review by Ken Dryden

Lionel Hampton joins forces with a number of top French musicians for this 1955 studio session, reissued in Verve's Jazz in Paris series. Three of the four compositions are Hampton's, swinging tunes arranged by Christian Chevalier. The first, "Voice of the North," is primarily for the leader's matchless vibes with the rhythm section, though individual soloists are featured, including fellow Americans Nat Adderley and Benny Bailey on trumpets and David Amram on French horn, as well as clarinetist Maurice Meunier and baritone saxophonist William Boucaya. It's just Hampton and the rhythm section (pianist René Urtreger, bassist Guy Pedersen, and drummer Jean-Baptiste Reilles) for the long workout of "À la French." The one standard of the date, "Crazy Rhythm," suffers from somewhat muddy sound, particularly the overly distant brass. Guitarist Sacha Distel, though admittedly intimidated by Hampton, rises to the leader's level of playing with a fine solo. Overall, this is an enjoyable if not quite essential album by Lionel Hampton.

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Reseña de Ken Dryden

Lionel Hampton se une a varios músicos franceses de primera fila para esta sesión de estudio de 1955, reeditada en la serie Jazz in Paris de Verve. Tres de las cuatro composiciones son de Hampton, melodías swinging arregladas por Christian Chevalier. La primera, "Voice of the North", es principalmente para el inigualable vibráfono del líder con la sección rítmica, aunque se presentan solistas individuales, incluyendo a sus colegas americanos Nat Adderley y Benny Bailey en las trompetas y David Amram en el corno francés, así como el clarinetista Maurice Meunier y el saxofonista barítono William Boucaya. Sólo Hampton y la sección rítmica (pianista René Urtreger, bajista Guy Pedersen y baterista Jean-Baptiste Reilles) para el largo entrenamiento de "À la French". El único estándar de la fecha, "Ritmo Loco", sufre de un sonido algo turbio, particularmente los metales demasiado distantes. El guitarrista Sacha Distel, aunque está intimidado por Hampton, se eleva al nivel del líder con un buen solo. En general, es un álbum agradable, si no esencial, de Lionel Hampton.

Vol. 1
1 Voice Of The North 8:51
2 A La French 11:52
3 Crazy Rhythm 7:49
4 Zebu 10:05

 Vol. 2
1 All The Things You Are 7:30
2 I Cover The Waterfront 14:05
3 Red Ribbon 9:43
4 Night And Day 11:28

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