Oliver Nelson - The Blues And The Abstract Truth (1961/2007) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

One of jazz’s best kept secrets, this landmark 1961 release by saxophonist and arranger Oliver Nelson boasts the superstar lineup of Freddie Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Roy Haynes and Paul Chambers. The record explores the limitless boundaries of the blues and introduced the world to one of the jazz genre’s most performed standards, “Stolen Moments”.

As Oliver Nelson is known primarily as a big band leader and arranger, he is lesser known as a saxophonist and organizer of small ensembles. Blues and the Abstract Truth is his triumph as a musician for the aspects of not only defining the sound of an era with his all-time classic "Stolen Moments," but on this recording, assembling one of the most potent modern jazz sextets ever. Lead trumpeter Freddie Hubbard is at his peak of performance, while alto saxophonists Nelson and Eric Dolphy (Nelson doubling on tenor) team to form an unlikely union that was simmered to perfection. Bill Evans (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Roy Haynes (drums) can do no wrong as a rhythm section. "Stolen Moments" really needs no comments, as its undisputable beauty shines through in a three-part horn harmony fronting Hubbard's lead melody. It's a thing of beauty that is more timeless as the years pass. The "Blues" aspect is best heard on "Yearnin'," a stylish, swinging, and swaying downhearted piece that is a bluesy as Evans would ever be. Both "Blues" and "Abstract Truth" combine for the darker "Teenie's Blues," a feature for Nelson and Dolphy's alto saxes, Dolphy assertive in stepping forth with his distinctive, angular, dramatic, fractured, brittle voice that marks him a maverick. Then there's "Hoedown," which has always been the black sheep of this collection with its country flavor and stereo separated upper and lower horn in snappy call-and-response barking. As surging and searing hard boppers respectively, "Cascades" and "Butch & Butch" again remind you of the era of the early '60s when this music was king, and why Hubbard was so revered as a young master of the idiom. This Album is a must buy for all jazz collectors, and a Top Ten-Fifty favorite for many.

Tracklist:

01 - Stolen Moments
02 - Hoe-Down
03 - Cascades
04 - Yearnin'
05 - Butch and Butch
06 - Teenie's Blues

Produced by Creed Taylor. Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder.
Recorded on February 23, 1961 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Musicians:
Oliver Nelson – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
Eric Dolphy – flute, alto saxophone
George Barrow – baritone saxophone
Freddie Hubbard – trumpet
Bill Evans – piano
Paul Chambers – bass
Roy Haynes – drums


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