egroj world: Herb Ellis & Ray Brown • Hot Tracks

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Herb Ellis & Ray Brown • Hot Tracks

Review by Scott Yanow
Guitarist Herb Ellis was the leader of six of the first dozen Concord releases. This lesser-known set has some fine playing from Ellis, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson, bassist Ray Brown, drummer Jake Hanna and keyboardist Mike Melvoin although Melvoin's electric piano sounds a bit dated today. As usual the music is uncomplicated, straight ahead, swinging and tasteful. Six of the songs are originals by group members which are performed along with Johnny Hodges' "Squatty Roo" and the ballad "But Beautiful."
https://www.allmusic.com/album/hot-tracks-mw0000198246

///////

Reseña de Scott Yanow
El guitarrista Herb Ellis fue el líder de seis de las primeras docenas de lanzamientos de Concord. Este conjunto menos conocido tiene una excelente interpretación de Ellis, el trompetista Harry "Sweets" Edison, el saxofonista tenor Plas Johnson, el bajista Ray Brown, el baterista Jake Hanna y el tecladista Mike Melvoin, aunque el piano eléctrico de Melvoin suena un poco anticuado en la actualidad. Como de costumbre, la música es sencilla, directa, oscilante y de buen gusto. Seis de las canciones son originales de los miembros del grupo que se interpretan junto con "Squatty Roo" de Johnny Hodges y la balada " But Beautiful."
https://www.allmusic.com/album/hot-tracks-mw0000198246

Tracks:
1 - Onion Roll
2 - Spherikhal
3 - But Beautiful
4 - Blues For Minnie
5 - Bones
6 - So's Your Mother
7 - Squatty Roo
8 - Sweetback

Credits:
    Art Direction – Karin Limmroth
    Bass – Ray Brown
    Drums – Jake Hanna
    Guitar – Herb Ellis
    Keyboards – Mike Melvoin
    Producer – Carl E. Jefferson
    Recorded By, Engineer [Remix] – Phil Edwards
    Saxophone – Plas Johnson
    Trumpet – Harry "Sweets" Edison*

Recorded at Western Sudios, Hollywood, CA

Label:    Concord Jazz – CJ-12
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album
Country:    US
Released:    1976
Genre:    Jazz
Style:    Bop, Swing
https://www.discogs.com/release/3209630-Herb-Ellis-Ray-Brown-Sextet-Featuring-Harry-Sweets-Edison-Jake-Hanna-Plas-Johnson-Mike-Melvoin-Hot-T
https://www.discogs.com/release/3209630-Herb-Ellis-Ray-Brown-Sextet-Featuring-Harry-Sweets-Edison-Jake-Hanna-Plas-Johnson-Mike-Melvoin-Hot-T