Memphis-born trumpeter Booker Little was a bright light of the jazz world who died tragically young at age 23. A prodigiously talented hornman as well as a composer, Little first came to prominence as a member of Max Roach's band, which he joined in 1956 after the death of Clifford Brown, another trumpet great gone far too soon. Little only made a handful of albums as a leader during his brief career, including his astounding debut, Booker Little 4 & Max Roach, recorded in 1958 for United Artists when he was just 20 years old. The full breadth of Little's artistry leaps out of the grooves with his brilliant tone, astonishing technique, and inventive lines matched by Roach's fiery drums throughout this engaging set that also featured George Coleman on tenor saxophone, Tommy Flanagan on piano, and Art Davis on bass. The album opens with Miles Davis' "Milestones" and includes the standards "Sweet and Lovely" and a stunning version of "Moonlight Becomes You," but the album's centerpiece is the trio of Little originals: "Rounders Mood," "Dungeon Waltz," and "Jewel's Tempo."
The Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series was born out of Blue Note President Don Was' admiration for the exceptional audiophile Blue Note LP reissues presented by Music Matters. Was brought Joe Harley, a.k.a. the "Tone Poet," on board to curate and supervise a series of reissues from the Blue Note family of labels.
Extreme attention to detail has been paid to getting these right in every conceivable way, from the jacket graphics and printing quality to superior LP mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray to superb 180g audiophile LP pressings by Record Technology, Inc. Every aspect of these Tone Poet releases is done to the highest possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version. This is IT.
This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology, Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.
Overall, this forward-looking hard bop set is easily recommended.-Scott Yanow, AllMusic.com, 4.5/5 stars
Features
• 180g Vinyl LP
• Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series
• Mastered from the Original Analog Tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
• Produced by Joe Harley
• Pressed at RTI
• Deluxe Tip-On Jacket
Musicians
Booker Little trumpet
George Coleman tenor sax
Tommy Flanagan piano
Arthur Davis bass
Max Roach drums
Selections
Side One:
1. Milestones
2. Sweet and Lovely
3. Rounders Mood
Side Two:
1. Dungeon Waltz
2. Jewel's Tempo
3. Moonlight Becomes You