HANK CRAWFORD
Low Flame, High Heat (Label M)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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By the time he launched his solo career with a series of Atlantic releases in the early 1960s, Hank Crawford was already well established as one of the pre-eminent arrangers in soul and jazz on the basis of his work as the musical director for the Ray Charles Band. He didn't stray far from that successful formula when he struck out on his own, and if his own material didn't quite reach the commercial heights of his work with Ray Charles (and really, whose did?) it certainly maintained the same high musical standards.

The material on Low Flame, High Heat is drawn from a half dozen of those Atlantic albums, but there's a remarkable consistency to both the quality and the structure of the music. Set up four horns and a rhythm section and put Hank in front. Get the best material you can find from sources ranging from Duke Ellington to Percy Mayfield. Stir in a heaping helping of Memphis soul and lay it down. Pretty near a perfect recipe.

Crawford envisioned a horn section as the equivalent of a vocal group, with his own alto as the lead singer, and that's definitely the feel that comes across on the 11 ballads and slow blues on this collection. He sings through his horn, using the full range available. He's particularly effective at the top of the alto range, which is notable in part because he started out on baritone, backing blues and R&B acts in his native Memphis. On every track, Hank Crawford establishes himself as the epitome of tone and taste. This is classic Sunday morning jazz/

Track List:

Don't Get Around Much Anymore * But On The Other Hand * Lorelei's Lament * Save Your Love For Me * Angel Eyes * Two Years Of Torture * Easy Living * What Will I Tell My Heart * Don't Cry Baby * Danger Zone * You've Changed

© 2000 - Shaun Dale