The Cookers - The Call Of The Wild And Peaceful Heart (2016) [Official Digital Download 24-bit/96kHz]

The Cookers are a young group of oldsters, seven esteemed jazz veterans of some 60s and 70s years of age whose experience and ongoing creativity now offer their latest development. Often a gathering of jazz greats produces nice, somewhat nostalgic but not distinctive recordings; this one is different. These artists are true colleagues who worked with each in other ensembles, and while leaders of their own bands, they can mesh into the composition. Two trumpets, Eddie Henderson and David Weiss, are joined with two saxophones, Donald Harrison on alto and Billy Harper on tenor. Bass, piano, and drums are the forte respectively of George Cables, Cecil McGee, and Billy Hart. All of the tracks are originals, three by Harper, two each by Hart and Cables, and one by McBee. The happy result is pleasurable listening to a great collaboration of postbop, with David Weiss serving as arranger-diplomat-organizer and Billy Harper arranger on three tracks. The extended tracks cover 74 minutes of melody, beat, and horn harmony.

Hard bop is proving to be the most durable of all jazz styles. Succeeding generations come up with new twists, but the Cookers are a band of seven true veterans who manage to sound fresher and tougher than any of them. Their unique sound brings with it echoes of the bands they’ve worked with – Max Roach, Herbie Hancock, the Jazz Messengers – not as a deliberate revival but because it’s their natural style. And each has his own strong musical personality. Tenor saxophonist Billy Harper has a wild, passionate streak; pianist George Cables is firmly grounded, with a touch of lyricism; trumpeter Eddie Henderson is excitingly mercurial. Former sidemen, now genuine all-stars.

Tracklist:

01 - The Call of the Wild and Peaceful Heart
02 - Beyond Forever
03 - Third Phase
04 - Teule's Redemption
05 - If One Could Only See
06 - Blackfoot
07 - Oceans of Time
08 - Thy Will Be Done

Musicians:
Eddie Henderson - trumpet
David Weiss - trumpet
Donald Harrison - alto saxophone
Billy Harper - tenor saxophone
George Cables - piano
Cecil McBee - bass
Billy Hart - drums


Thanks to the Original customer!