The Complete Imperial Sessions
| The Complete Imperial Sessions | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Compilation album by Lou Blackburn | |
| Released | 2006 |
| Recorded | January 25 & 31 and March 12 & 18, 1963 at United Recorders in Los Angeles, California |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Length | 80:19 |
| Label |
Blue Note 58293 |
| Producer | Michael Cuscuna |
The Complete Imperial Sessions is a CD compilation of the two albums led by American jazz trombonist/composer Lou Blackburn, Jazz Frontier and Two Note Samba, which were recorded in 1963 and originally released on the Imperial label.[1] The albums represent the first recordings of pianist Horace Tapscott.[2]
Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| All Abou Jazz |  [4] |
AllMusic awarded the album 4½ stars with its review by Ken Dryden stating "The musicianship throughout these dates is exemplary and it is a shame that the short-lived quintet didn't achieve greater recognition. Even bop fans who are not at all familiar with Lou Blackburn will enjoy this collection of his early work as a leader".[3] All About Jazz correspondent, Mike Keely said "The Complete Imperial Sessions presents a tight West Coast band with a bluesy East Coast sound. There is the best of both worlds in this fine quintet with its well-balanced soloists and outstanding rhythm section. Blackburn is a sharp band leader whose sophistication is evident throughout these sessions; he brings to the table eleven original compositions and a band that can turn on a dime".[4]
Track listing
All compositions by Lou Blackburn except as indicated
- "New Frontier" - 4:37
- "Perception" - 5:29
- "I Cover the Waterfront" (Edward Heyman, Johnny Green) - 3:05
- "17 Richmond Park" - 5:07
- "Harlem Bossa Nova" - 3:28
- "Luze Blues" - 3:11
- "The Clan" (Curtis Fuller) - 2:56
- "Scorpio" - 4:26
- "Jazz-a-Nova" - 3:46
- "Stella by Starlight" (Ned Washington, Victor Young) - 3:52
- "Manhã de Carnaval" (Luiz Bonfá, Antônio Maria) - 5:53
- "Jean-Bleu" - 4:43
- "Blues for Eurydice" - 4:45
- "Secret Love" (Paul Francis Webster, Sammy Fain) - 3:18
- "Two-Note Samba" - 4:09
- "Grand Prix" - 3:49
- "Song of Delilah" (Ray Evans, Jay Livingston, Victor Young) - 4:52
- "Dear Old Stockholm" (Traditional) - 4:43
- "Ode to Taras" - 4:52 Bonus track not on original albums
- Recorded on January 25 (tracks 1-5), January 31 (tracks 6-11), March 12 (tracks 12-15 & 19) and March 18 (tracks 16-18), 1963 at United Recorders, Los Angeles, CA. Tracks 1-10 originally issued as Jazz Frontier (Imperial 12228) and tracks 11-18 originally issued as Two Note Samba (Imperial 12242)
Personnel
- Lou Blackburn - trombone
- Freddie Hill - trumpet
- Horace Tapscott - piano
- John Duke - bass
- Leroy Henderson - drums
References
- ↑ Fitzgerald, M., Lou Blackburn discography accessed February 9, 2015
- ↑ Horace Tapscott discography accessed February 9, 2015
- 1 2 Dryden, K., Allmusic Review accessed February 9, 2015
- 1 2 Keely, M., All About Jazz Review September 9, 2009