Little Niles

Little Niles
Studio album by Randy Weston
Released	1959
Recorded	October 1958 RCA Studios, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Label	United Artists UAL 4011
Producer	Jack Lewis
Randy Weston chronology
New Faces at Newport (1958) Little Niles (1958) Destry Rides Again (1959)

Little Niles is an album by American jazz pianist Randy Weston recorded in 1958 and first released on the United Artists label.^[1] The album was later released as part of a Blue Note compilation under the same title. All the tracks are Weston originals and, as indicated in the LP's liner notes by Langston Hughes, the album was inspired by Weston's children Niles and Pamela, who are directly referenced in "Little Niles" and "Pam's Waltz" and feature in the cover photograph. As Hughes notes of the compositions, "All in three-quarter time, these charming little vignettes escape rigidity of beat by a fluid flow of counter-rhythms and melodies, one against another, that brings continuous delight."^[2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]

Allmusic awarded the album 4½ stars, with the review by Scott Yanow stating: "Overall the music is advanced bop with a strong nod toward African music. Well worth searching for".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Randy Weston

1. "Earth Birth" - 2:52
2. "Little Susan" - 3:24
3. "Nice Ice" - 2:55
4. "Little Niles" - 6:00
5. "Pam's Waltz" - 3:15
6. "Babe's Blues" - 6:58
7. "Let's Climb a Hill" - 5:53

Personnel

• Randy Weston - piano
• Ray Copeland (tracks 1-6), Idrees Sulieman (track 7) - trumpet
• Melba Liston - trombone, arranger
• Johnny Griffin - tenor saxophone
• George Joyner - bass
• Charlie Persip - drums

References