Cecil Payne & Duke Jordan, Brooklyn Brothers (Elemental Music)
This classic pairing is an essential repertoire item in Elemental Music’s series reissuing Xanadu albums from the 1970s. Payne (1922-2007) was among the great baritone saxophonists of his generation, perpetually in demand as a big band sideman and as a soloist. From his early days with Charlie Parker, Jordan (1922-2006) attracted admiration for the softness and fluidity of his keyboard touch and his harmonic ingenuity. Together with Sam Jones on bass and the young drummer Al Foster, they explore “Jordu” and “No Problem,” Jordan compositions even then established as jazz standards, plus Jordan’s “Jazz Vendor,” three of Payne’s pieces and the standards “I Should Care” and “I Want To Talk About You.” Payne’s “Cu-Ba” is a highlight, not only for the leaders’ work but also for Foster’s solo. It’s good to have this available again.
Thanks for this post! This album has had a workout over the years in my collection. ” No Problem ” is a fantastic song and needs to be discovered by all jazz players. I would recommend Duke’s excellent soundtrack disc as a starting place for this tune. Cecil’s playing is so unique, with a very personal tone. I would recommend his disc of playing Charlie Parker tunes to all.
One of my favorite albums, from two of my favorite musicians, recorded in a dreary time for traditional modernist jazz musicians (fusion and rock created a similar situation that bop did for swing era and New Orleans/Chicago style musicians in the 40s). In a dark decade for jazz, men like Don Schlitten and Nils Winther kept the tradition alive much like the Irish monks were alleged to have in regards to the texts of western civilization during ancient times.