*** ERIC REED, RALPH MOORE, JEFF HAMILTON, ROBERT HURST, “West Coast Jazz Summit,” Mons Records
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Bassist Hurst is also featured on this somewhat mellow date that manages to swing hard despite the reserved tempos.
With fellow “Tonight Show” band member Ralph Moore adding assertive yet romantic tenor work (much like that heard from John Coltrane on his classic “Ballads” release) and detailed, sometimes quirky playing from pianist Eric Reed (who also arranged the 10 numbers), the “summiteers” manage to make such well-worn tunes as Kurt Weill’s “Speak Low” and Harold Arlen’s “It’s Only a Paper Moon” swagger with new confidence.
“Caravan” is played at a bawdy, deliberate pace, while the party anthem “Tequila” comes across on a suave rumba beat of the kind that would set Pee-wee Herman to dancing.
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Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good, recommended), four stars (excellent).
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