Jimmy Forrest – Out Of The Forrest

From the time Coleman Hawkins firmly established the tenor saxophone on the jazz map, it has been one of the most potent forces in the music, its best practitioners able to raise the roof with a jumping blues, soothe the savage beast with a tender love ballad, and do just about anything in between. At the time of this recording (1961), Jimmy Forrest, the St. Louis-born reedman, was a veteran of the Fate Marable, Jay McShann, Andy Kirk, and Duke Ellington bands. Later in his career he starred with Count Basie. Here he leads a quartet of teammates from the combo of "Sweets" Edison, including the young Austrian pianist Joe Zawinul, through a gamut of the aforementioned moods from "Crash Program" to the caressing "That's All," with a few tips of the cap to Ben Webster along the way. With Joe Zawinul, Tommy Potter and Clarence Johnston.

• Part of the ultimate audiophile Prestige stereo reissues from Analogue Productions — 25 of the most collectible, rarest, most audiophile-sounding Rudy Van Gelder recordings ever made. All cut at 33 1/3 and also released on Hybrid SACD
• All mastered from the original analog master tapes by mastering maestro Kevin Gray. 200-gram LPs pressed at Acoustic Sounds' state-of-the-art pressing plant, Quality Record Pressings, plated by Gary Salstrom
• Deep groove label LP pressings, tip-on jackets on thick cardboard stock

Reviews

"One of Jimmy Forrest’s finest recordings… his big, warm tone and blues-drenched phrasing are in top form. A gem for fans of classic soul-jazz and hard bop." — AllMusic (Scott Yanow)

"A thoroughly enjoyable session… Forrest’s playing is robust and lyrical, full of character. The rhythm section cooks with understated authority." — The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings

"Out of the Forrest stands tall among Prestige’s early-60s catalog — earthy, swinging, and full of life. Forrest blows with conviction and soul." — JazzTimes (Retrospective)

"A superb straight-ahead tenor session… Forrest brings a smoky nightclub energy that’s irresistibly engaging. The interplay with Tommy Flanagan is a highlight." — London Jazz Collector

"This is one of those Prestige sleepers that rewards repeated listens — lean, warm, and full of groove. Forrest’s tone is like velvet dipped in bourbon." — Vinyl Me, Please (Reissue Feature)