ERIC DOLPHY
Outward Bound (Prestige)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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This is the perfect CD for jazz buffs who don't like outside playing but would like to know what all the fuss was about Eric Dolphy. His talents are well-showcased here. His sax solo on "Green Dolphin Street" is explosive, with notes that seem to come from somewhere between the accepted notes of the scales--notes that nobody else had discovered yet. All this without allowing the overall sound to slip beyond the boundaries of bop. Dolphy brings a touch of the exotic to "On Green Dolphin Street," his eastern-sounding solo being countered by a traditional, beautiful trumpet solo by Freddie Hubbard. Hubbard's solo in "Miss Toni" is absolutely thrilling, a real conversation-stopper. Dolphy showcases his skills on other instruments as well, with a long, fantastic flute solo on "Glad To Be Unhappy" and a bass clarinet solo in "Miss Toni" that, at times, sounds for all the world like a sax solo (I was about to conclude that the liner notes were screwed up when Dolphy took the low road and it became obvious it wasn't his sax). The rhythm section of Jaki Byard (piano), George Tucker (bass), and Roy Haynes (drums) is solid, and they do take their solos, but for the most part they are the there to support the musical conversation between Dolphy and Hubbard. The album was recorded in 1960 by Rudy Van Gelder at his Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, studio, so you don't even have to ask about sound quality. Of course there are a few alternate takes for collectors and students to dig into, as well. This was Dolphy's first session as a leader. The fireworks were to come later, but for fans of good, solid bebop, and for those who want to experience Dolphy without decoding avant-garde, Outward Bound is the one to have.

© 2000 - DJ Johnson