This four-CD set features all existing studio recordings, including alternative and outtakes, by the legendary Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet. That’s the EmArcy albums Clifford Brown & Max Roach, Brown & Roach Inc., Study In Brown, More Study In Brown, plus the Prestige album Sonny Rollins Plus Four. Harold Land was the tenor saxophonist on half of the sessions, and was replaced by Sonny Rollins on the later half. The quintet is completed by Richie Powell on piano and George Morrow on bass.
As the blurb rightly says, these albums count among the most treasured in jazz history. The long booklet includes original liner notes and Downbeat reviews, and the Clifford Brown blindfold test, from shortly before the trumpeter’s tragic early death.
It’s a joy to hear the alternative takes to some of my favourite recordings – some of these were previously issued but I’m not sure all of them were. The alternative take to Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing is a particular delight, even though it’s curtailed at the out chorus.
It’s interesting to compare this performance to a fascinating alternative take of Moon River by Art Blakey with Wayne Shorter. On the latter there’s a definite sense that the players haven’t yet got hold of the song, whereas with Brown-Roach the first version is high quality. Pianist Richie Powell is something of a weak link on these performances, but his solo on Love Is is one of his best, and he clearly had (sadly unrealised) potential.
Clifford Brown was one of the greatest early losses in the history of jazz. His inventiveness as an improviser was unparalleled – his phrases were lucid, long and beautifully shaped, showing a remarkable virtuosity. This release contains many of his greatest recordings, and if you don’t have them already, it’s an essential purchase.
Discography
CD1: (1) Delilah; Darn That Dream; Parisian Thoroughfare; Jordu; Sweet Clifford; Sweet Clifford [alt, incomplete]; I Don’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance [alt]; I Don’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance; Stompin At The Savoy; I Get A Kick Out Of You; I Get A Kick Out Of You [alt]; I’ll String Along With You; These Foolish Things (77.09)
CD2: Joy Spring [alt]; Joy Spring; Mildama [alt 1]; Mildama [alt 2]; Mildama [alt 3]; Mildama [alt 4]; Mildama [alt 5]; Mildama [alt 6]; Mildama; Daahoud; Daahoud [alt]; Gerkin For Perkin; Take The “A” Train; Land’s End [alt]; Land’s End; Swingin’; George’s Dilemma; If I Love Again; What Am I Here For (78.57)
CD3: The Blues Walk [alt]; The Blues Walk; Cherokee; Jacqui; Sandu; (2) Gertrude’s Bounce; Step Lightly (Junior’s Arrival); Powell’s Prances; I’ll Remember April; I’ll Remember April [alt 1, incomplete]; I’ll Remember April [alt 2]; Time; Flossie Lou [rehearsal] (78.49)
CD4: Flossie Lou [alt 1]; Flossie Lou [alt 2]; Flossie Lou [alt 3]; Flossie Lou; What Is This Thing Called Love? [alt]; What Is This Thing Called Love?; Love Is A Many Splendored Thing [alt, incomplete]; Love Is A Many Splendored Thing [alt]; Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing; Valse Hot; Kiss And Run; I Feel A Song Comin’ On; Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep; Pent-Up House (74.40)
(1) Brown (t); Harold Land (ts); Richie Powell (p); George Morrow (b); Roach (d). Los Angeles, 1954.
(2) Harold Land replaced by Sonny Rollins (ts). New York, 1955-6.
American Jazz Classics 99148
