A five-year association between trumpeter Blue Mitchell and Horace Silver ended in the spring of 1964 when the pianist disbanded. But for Mitchell the parting presented a new challenge and his debut as a regular leader in his own right. Blue recruited fellow ex-Silverites Junior Cook (tenor) and Gene Taylor (bass), adding Chick Corea, a young pianist from Boston, a city that has spawned Jackie Byard, Sam Rivers, Alan Dawson, Tony Williams and others of late, and drummer Al Foster. The combo, now working together regularly, are heard here in their first LP.
It is a most impressive maiden voyage by a quintet of articulate craftsmen who do not attempt to overreach their capabilities. They know their territory and in it have few peers. The compositions, one apiece by Mitchell and Corea, a pair from Jimmy Heath and a Joe Henderson effort, are thoughtfully constructed originals intelligently arranged. The participants aimed for variety and achieved it. Fungii has a pungent calypso flavour, Heath’s Mona is a sweet (not meaning sickly) ballad and Step Lightly, by Henderson, captures a genuine dancing quality. Chick’s Tune is taken up, the author shouldering the heaviest solo burden and making it a labour of love.
A few words about style – and this band is stylish – with particular reference to Mitchell and Cook. The former’s approach is not unlike that of Johnny Coles, the late Joe Gordon and Tommy Turrentine. All have small tones, favour an economical use of notes, shun the obvious without becoming too cerebral. Yet they swing as convincingly as the belt and blast brigade. Donald Byrd is another kindred spirit I should have mentioned. Mitchell, a graduate of the Earl Bostic band, is now a completely satisfying soloist. I doubt whether he has ever played better than on this album, certainly an enormous improvement on his Riverside LPs. Junior Cook too sounds better by half. Evidently his ears are still wide open, for I detect a similarity to Joe Henderson creeping in here and there. Corea will be an important voice I fancy. At this stage he shows many influences – Monk, Tyner, Duke Pearson among them – but dues are being paid. Already the seeds of individuality are detectable.
Listeners with a partiality for honest, no-tricks jazz will love every bar, as I did. Would that more recent Blue Note releases measured up to this standard.
Discography
Fungii Mama; Mona’s Mood; The Thing To Do (21 min) – Step Lightly; Chick’s Tune (20½ min)
Blue Mitchell (tpt); Junior Cook (ten); Chick Corea (p); Gene Taylor (bs); Al Foster (d). Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1964.
(Blue Note BLP 4178 12inLP 45s. 3d.)
