The Oliver Nelson Sextet – Screamin' The Blues (Analogue Productions)

Posterity remembers Oliver Nelson (1932-1975) primarily as an arranger/conductor. When he first began to attract attention with a series of albums for Prestige and its subsidiaries, however, Nelson was hailed as a versatile leader of small groups and a composer/instrumentalist who could refresh the music's traditional verities while also looking ahead. There is no better showcase for these skills among his initial sessions than Screamin' the Blues, a rousing set of funky modernism interpreted by a sextet of players who shared Nelson's allegiance to both virtuosity and vision. The pairing of saxophonist Eric Dolphy with Nelson was particularly inspired as both men were adept on more than one instrument, and allowed this sextet to create an uncommon diversity of colors. Nelson and Dolphy would reunite a year later on both the classic Blues and the Abstract Truth and (with the band heard here minus trumpeter Richard Williams) on the looser yet intense Straight Ahead. With Richard Williams, Eric Dolphy, Richard Wyands, George Duvivier and Roy Haynes.

• 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 pressings, tip-on jackets on thick cardboard stock

Reviews

"A scorching, soulful session with sharp arrangements and searing solos — Nelson proves he's as much a composer as a player." — AllMusic

"Tight, blues-infused hard bop played by a dream team — this is Oliver Nelson in top form." — The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings

"The interplay between Nelson and Eric Dolphy is electrifying — edgy, expressive, and full of fire." — DownBeat

"A bluesy, swinging gem — adventurous but grounded, with great tone and emotional weight." — JazzTimes

"From the opening blast, Screamin’ the Blues delivers inventive charts and raw power. Essential listening for modern jazz fans." — Mojo