This gem from the thousands of recording that Ellington made is rather special. It was made during the time when the Ellington Orchestra was signed to Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records. All of the band's recordings during this period offered fresh new material and in this case and this album, music with a more exotic flavor. The title "Afro-Bossa" is a bit misleading as it is not strictly a bossa-nova recording but Ellington's concept of that unique Brazilian rhythm coupled with African influences and the multi-colors of the orchestra. All the major players are here in short solos, Paul Gonsalves, Ray Nance on trumpet and violin, Johnny Hodges on alto saxophone, Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet, Cootie Williams and powerhouse Cat Anderson on trumpets and Lawrence Brown on trombone and others. Some of the band members play percussion instruments on a few selections. All in all the 12 tunes are fresh and new and offer a great look at the immense creativity of Ellington and his compositional alter-ego Billy Strayhorn. Tonight "Afro-Bossa"...a true gem.
Track Listing:
Afro-Bossa
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Purple Gazelle
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Absinthe
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Moonbow
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Sempre Amore
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Silk Lace
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Tigress
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Angu
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Volupte
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Bonga
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Pyramid
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
The Eighth Veil.
Duke Ellington · Afro-Bossa
Blue 'N' Boogie
Dizzy Gillespie · Early Bop
Groovin' High
Dizzy Gillespie · Early Bop.
Trane Whistle
Eddie Lockjaw Davis · Trane Whistle
You Are Too beautiful
Eddie Lockjaw Davis · Trane Whistle
Stolen Moments
Eddie Lockjaw davis · Trane Whistle
Jaws
Eddie Lockjaw Davis · Trane Whistle
Dollar's Dance
Dollar Brand · Duke Ellington Presents Dollar Brand
Kippi
Dollar Brand · Duke Ellington Presents Dollar Brand
Brilliant Corners
Dollar Brand · Duke Ellington Presents Dollar Brand
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
Ernesto Cervini · Tetrahedron
Forward Motion
Ernesto Cervini · Tetrahedron
Hanging For Dear Life
Nick Hempton · Catch and Release
Target Practice
Nick Hempton · Catch and Release
Un Poco Loco
Shelly Manne · Swingin' Sounds
Bernie's Tune
Shelly Manne · Swingin' Sounds
Slan
Shelly Manne · Swingin' Sounds
Things Ain't What They Used To Be
Frank Strozier · Young Men From Memphis