Cannonball Adderley: Somethin' Else-1973 Blue Note Dark Blue Reissue Stereo LP

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1958 Blue Note Release by Bandleader/Composer/Alto Saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley Entitled Somethin' Else, Produced by Alfred Lion, Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder, Liner Notes in Reissue by Jere Hausfater - One of the great alto saxophonists, Cannonball Adderley had an exuberant and happy sound (as opposed to many of the more serious stylists of his generation) that communicated immediately to listeners. His intelligent presentation of his music (often explaining what he and his musicians were going to play) helped make him one of the most popular of all jazzmen. Adderley already had an established career as a high school band director in Florida when, during a 1955 visit to New York, he was persuaded to sit in with Oscar Pettiford's group at the Cafe Bohemia. His playing created such a sensation that he was soon signed to Savoy and persuaded to play jazz full-time in New York. With his younger brother, cornetist Nat, Cannonball formed a quintet that struggled until its breakup in 1957. Adderley then joined Miles Davis, forming part of his super sextet with John Coltrane and participating on such classic recordings as Milestones and Kind of Blue. Adderley's second attempt to form a quintet with his brother was much more successful for, in 1959, with pianist Bobby Timmons, he had a hit recording of "This Here." From then on, Cannonball always was able to work steadily with his band. During its Riverside years (1959-1963), the Adderley Quintet primarily played soulful renditions of hard bop and Cannonball really excelled in the straight-ahead settings. During 1962-1963, Yusef Lateef made the group a sextet and pianist Joe Zawinul was an important new member. The collapse of Riverside resulted in Adderley signing with Capitol and his recordings became gradually more commercial. Charles Lloyd was in Lateef's place for a year (with less success) and then with his departure the group went back to being a quintet. Zawinul's 1966 composition "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" was a huge hit for the group, Adderley started doubling on soprano, and the quintet's later recordings emphasized long melody statements, funky rhythms, and electronics. However, during his last year, Cannonball Adderley was revisiting the past a bit and on Phenix he recorded new versions of many of his earlier numbers. But before he could evolve his music any further, Cannonball Adderley died suddenly from a stroke." - "It isn't too difficult to understand why MFSL considered this album to be a worthy candidate for an Ultradisc reissue ? aside from Cannonball Adderley, you have a lineup that includes Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones, and Art Blakey. This is a group that could take on a Barry Manilow number and turn it into a jazz masterpiece. MFSL have done the purchaser a favor, too, by including an additional track that was left off the original album. This sixth track, ""Alison's Uncle,"" closes out Somethin' Else on a high note, changing the flow of energy in an interesting way (purists can still finish up on a quieter note, as with the original, by programming ""Dancing in the Dark"" as the final track). In many ways it's a surprise that this track was left off originally ? it's an excellent piece, with Adderley and Davis trading licks and solos while Jones and Blakey keep pace. Blakey also takes some terrific solos. The remastering job is the usual superb MFSL effort, producing clear sound with almost no background noise. Due to the original recording (made in 1958), Davis' trumpet sometimes seems a little shrill and metallic, but it's not an overwhelming problem ? certainly not when you consider Davis' style. Altogether, an excellent addition to any jazz collection." - Spectacular Personnel for the Quintet Features Legendary Composer Cannonball Addderley on Alto Saxophone, the Great Miles Davis on Trumpet, the Amazing Hank Jones on Piano, Sam Jones on Bass and the Brilliant Art Blakey on Drums! - Selections on Side 1 Are the Johnny Mercer/Jacques Prevert/Joseph Kosma Standard Autumn Leaves at 10 Minutes 58 Seconds & the Cole Porter Song Love for Sale - Tracks for Side 2 Are Original Miles Davis Composition Somethin' Else, the Nat Adderley/Sam Jones Penned One for Daddy-O at 8 Minutes 21 Seconds and the Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz Standard Dancing in the Dark - Used Copy, Cover Has a very Light Surface Ring with a very Slightly Bent Upper Right Corner, Record Excellent - Stereo Recording, Product Code BN-LA169-F - California Residents Add 9.75% Sales Tax - International S & H Extra -