CiTR

Elvin Jones was one of the most compelling and inventive drummers in the history of Jazz. In 1965 he left the John Coltrane "Classic Quartet" and struck out on his own leading his bands that he dubbed "The Elvin Jones Jazz Machine". These were groups of various sizes that he led until his passing in May of 2004.This was one of his first records post-Coltrane and Elvin put together a fine band for this Atlantic date done in March of 1966.Elvin's older brother is here on cornet and it's the magnificent Thad Jones. Hank Mobley is on tenor saxophone and he lives up to his name as "the welterweight champion of the tenor saxophone". On piano is the South African guru of Jazz, Dollar Brand aka Abdullah Ibrahim. This is an early recording by Dollar as he had just moved to New York from Europe via South Africa. On bass is the lesser known but strong Don Moore, On one tune Elvin and Thad's cousin takes over the piano chores on electric piano and his name is Steven James. A varied program of originals by Brand, Mobley, Thad Jones and Elvin and electric pianist Steven James make up this fine and often overlooked record. Midnight Walk is a fine documentation of the beginning of Elvin Jones' career as a bandleader.