Eric Alexander Quartet - My Favorite Things (2007) [Japan 2015] SACD ISO + DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

This release from Eric Alexander is a notable one. Venus Records asked the readers of Swing Journal what they would like to hear Alexander play. From that long list of requested songs, Alexander selected the tunes included on My Favorite Things. Many of the selections are well-known jazz tracks heavily associated with tenor saxophone giants of the past. Some of them include "Sugar" by Stanley Turrentine, "Airegin" by Sonny Rollins, and "My Favorite Things" and "Lazy Bird" made famous by John Coltrane.

Alexander confronts this challenging task with the confidence of an expert musician. He makes every performance his own with his strong, warm tone and unique phrasings — all while paying respect to the great tenor saxophonists. The quartet flew to Tokyo and recorded the entire album in just one day. Once again, Alexander proves that he is one of the greatest tenor saxophonists today. This album is another excellent offering to the music world.

Eric Alexander is in top form throughout this 2007 quartet session with some of his favorite bandmates, including David Hazeltine, bassist John Webber, and drummer Joe Farnsworth, all four of whom are members of the group One for All and regular participants on the Manhattan jazz scene in clubs and studios. The big-toned tenor saxophonist covers a lot of bases, including several standards, works by jazz greats (all tenor players), and a bossa nova. Though John Coltrane has been an obvious influence on some earlier recordings, he has developed his own sound, blending ideas from past artists with his own. The rhapsodic treatment of "Stella by Starlight" is one highlight, and while he opts for the famous Coltrane modal setting of "My Favorite Things," he doesn't linger in getting to the conclusion of its theme. His turbocharged take of Sonny Rollins' "Airegin" is fueled by his fiery rhythm section, while Hazeltine's soulful, lush accompaniment is the perfect backdrop for the leader in the moving "Lover Man." Another fine date by Eric Alexander, one of the best saxophonists of his generation.

Tracklist:

01. Sugar
02. Triste
03. Stella By Starlight
04. My Favorite Things
05. Airegin
06. As Time Goes By
07. Lover Man
08. Lazy Bird

Personnel
Eric Alexander - tenor sax
David Hazeltine - piano
John Webber - bass
Joe Farnsworth - drums

Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Tetsuo Hara. Engineered by Shuji Kitamura.
Recorded on September 5, 2007 at B.S.T. Studio in Tokyo.
Venus Hyper Magnum Sound Direct Mix. VENUS Japan # VHGD-91.


Thanks to jazzyman!
Uncompressed SACD ISO size > 2,44 GB
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