Thad Jones - Magnificent Thad Jones

The title tells it all

Here the title tells it all for real, because Thad Jones is no less than Magnificent, here as in every album of his. Thad recorded this one in 1956 with Billy Mitchell (tenor), Barry Harris (piano), Percy Heath (bass), Max Roach (drums), Kenny Burrell (guitar on just one tune, the closing number "Something to remember you by" which is a duet between him and Thad). This album has been available recently only in the expensive japanese edition, but finally Blue Note has released it in the Rudy Van Gelder series. It was a duty because it's an exceptional album. I can't understand how they decided to put it out of print once. Thad plays effortlessy and brilliantly here with a fantastic "classic" sound stating melodies and phrases with an attitude, an easyness and a conviction few could match (or come close to say it better). His melodic sense and his balance in his solos are marvellous. Not to mention his fabolous sound. I really dig Barry Harris's boppish but lovely piano playing (listen closely to him in "I've got a crush on you", an incredible taste). He was on his NY recording debut. Wonderful are the ten minutes of the melodic speeder "Thedia". This is really one of the best albums of the era. A statement of what Jazz refinement is all about. Magnificent. Blue Note, don't ever think to offend Jazz again by putting this one Out Of Print again. October 19, 2007

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