Clifford Brown & Max Roach - "Study In Brown" (1955) & "Max And Roach Incorporated" (1954)

A Study In Brown features the 1955 version of the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet, a group also including tenor-saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Richie Powell and bassist George Morrow. One of the premiere early hard bop units, this band had unlimited potential. Highlights of this set are "Cherokee" (during which trumpeter Brownie is brilliant), "Swingin"' and "Sandu." All of the group's recordings are well worth acquiring.


---------- Review By Scott Yanow





Tracklist:

1. "Cherokee" (Ray Noble) - 5:44
2. "Jacqui" (Richie Powell) - 5:11
3. "Swingin'" (Clifford Brown) - 2:52
4. "Lands End" (Harold Land) - 4:56
5. "George's Dilemma" (Brown) - 5:36
6. "Sandu" (Brown) - 4:56
7. "Gerkin for Perkin" (Brown) - 2:56
8. "If I Love Again" (Jack Murray and Ben Oakland) - 3:24
9. "Take the 'A' Train" (Billy Strayhorn) - 4:18

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Brown is--justifiably--a jazz icon, and this album [Max And Roach Incorporated] showcases his celebrated rapid-fire riffs and remarkably rounded and mellow tone.

The rapid bebop of "Sweet Clifford" and the closer," I Get A Kick Out of You," may have you shaking your head in awe, with fast but fully articulated soloing by Brown, and simply amazing bop sax by the (underrated?) Harold Land. The notes and lines are just right! Max Roach's astonishing drumming adds to the intensity and wonder of the experience.

Brown's long, almost haunting trumpet on "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You" is one of the most beautiful and evocative trumpet solos I've ever heard. His voicing of the lyrics and tender/plaintive sound are superb.

Richie Powell is the force behind "I'll String Along With You," and recalls the tone of Tatum, the sentiment of Hoagie, and the chord emphasis of Nat Cole.
"Stompin' at the Savoy" grooves mellow, with light comping by Powell and bassist George Morrow, and warm burnished solos by Brown and Land. Max Roach slowly builds his solo teasingly, culminating in a bop tour de force.
Land is especially effective on "Darn That Dream" where his warm, lush, burnished playing recalls the John Coltrane/Johnny Hartman CD. Whether you're a longtime Clifford Brown fan, or are just making his acquaintance, I highly recommend this album!

----------- Review By M. Allen Greenbaum

 

 

 Tracklist:

 

1. "Sweet Clifford" (Clifford Brown) - 6:41
2. "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You" (Bing Crosby, Ned Washington, Victor Young) - 7:19
3. "Stompin' at the Savoy" (Benny Goodman, Andy Razaf, Edgar Sampson Chick Webb) - 6:23
4. "I'll String Along with You" (Al Dubin, Harry Warren) - 4:09
5. "Mildama" (Max Roach) - 4:30
6. "Darn That Dream" (Eddie DeLange, Jimmy Van Heusen) - 4:02
7. "I Get a Kick out of You" (Cole Porter) - 7:36

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