Roland Kirk with Jack McDuff - Kirk's Work (1961/2007/2014) [Official Digital Download]

Roland Kirk, the amazing one-man saxophone section and sublime soloist, had yet to add "Rahsaan" to his name when he recorded his first album for Prestige in 1961. It wasn't yet quite clear to many, even people at the center of the jazz community, that Kirk's gifts went considerably beyond the ability to play three horns at once.

Gradually, it began to dawn on one and all that the man's almost superhuman energy and dedication were matched by musicianship based as firmly in tradition as in innovation. Eventually, it became possible to accept as parts of Kirk's kaleidoscopic expression those odd instruments the manzello and the strich, not to mention the nose flute and kirkbam that he added later. And what a tenor saxophonist. Kirk's Work is a milestone in the brief, brilliant career of a major artist.

Kirk's Work, Rahsaan Roland Kirk's third long-player, teams him up with organist "Brother" Jack McDuff for Kirk's most soulful post-bop set to date. His unorthodox performance style incorporates the polyphonies of a tenor sax, flute, manzello, and stritch. (The latter instrument is Kirk's own modification of a second-generation B-flat soprano sax.) This contributes to the unique sonic textures and overtones Kirk creates when playing two – and often three – of those lead instruments simultaneously. The loose and soulful nature of McDuff's Hammond organ lends itself to the swinging R&B vibe pervasive throughout the album. Completing the quartet is Joe Benjamin (bass) and Art Taylor (drums), both veteran jazzmen in their own right. They lend their expertise as well as innate sense of rhythm to the up-tempo "revival meetin'" rendition of Sammy Kahn's "Makin' Whoopee" as well as the ominous swing of the title track. This is also an ideal showcase for Benjamin and Taylor's running counterpoint that glides throughout – supporting soloists Kirk and McDuff. Of the four original Kirk compositions, "Doin' the Sixty-Eight" is arguably the strongest. The percussive rhythms weave a hypnotic Latin groove over which Kirk and McDuff both snake some highly cerebral solos. The stellar interpretation of "Skater's Waltz" combines a well-known traditional melody with some of the most aggressive interaction from the quartet. The tune is put through its paces and the tenor sax/Hammond organ leads bounce around like a game of sonic ping pong. The more aggressive performance style that Kirk would later incorporate definitely shows signs of development on Kirk's Work. While certainly not the best in his catalog, it is a touchstone album that captures the early soulful Rahsaan Roland Kirk.

Tracklist:

01 - Three For Dizzy
02 - Makin' Whoopee
03 - Funk Underneath
04 - Kirk's Work
05 - Doin' The Sixty-Eight
06 - Too Late Now
07 - The Skaters' Waltz

July 11, 1961 at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
All transfers were made from the analog master tapes to digital at 24-bit resolution. Supervision by Bob Weinstock.
Remastered by Rudy Van Gelder at Van Gelder Studio in 2007.

Musicians:
Rahsaan Roland Kirk - flute, manzello, tenor saxophone, siren, stritch
Jack McDuff - organ, Hammond organ
Joe Benjamin - bass
Art Taylor - drums

A Note From Rudy Van Gelder:
I remember the sessions well, I remember how the musicians wanted to sound, and I remember their reactions to the playbacks. Today, I feel strongly that I am their messenger.

Thanks to the Original customer!