VARIOUS ARTISTS
32 More Gems From 32 Jazz (32 Jazz)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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The second mega-sampler from 32 Jazz is every bit as swingin' as the first. It's loaded with classic tracks by jazz greats like Sonny Stitt, Red Garland, Grant Green, Pat Martino, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Woody Shaw, Les McCann, Cedar Walton, Bobby Hutcherson and more. Three CDs, 32 songs, and a list price of 20 bucks, though I've seen it as low as 16, and if that ain't bang for the buck then I've lost track of what that means.

32 has quite a catalog, and believe me, this collection only barely scratches the surface. We get the bouncing cool of Brother Jack McDuff ("Rock Candy") and Richard "Groove" Holmes ("Groove's Groove"), the melancholy vibe of Bobby Hutcherson, the dynamic sax soloing of Sonny Stitt ("The Champ"), and the explosive drumming of Louis Hayes ("St. Peter's Walk"), all before you've even gotten started. Sit down and get comfortable. You're gonna be there awhile.

Last year they did the same crazy price thing with their first 3-CD sampler, 32 Gems From 32 Jazz, and you want both, so go get 'em. A fairly wide range of styles, a beyond-stellar lineup and something else: a perfect introduction to one of the coolest jazz catalogs around. What more do you want?

Track List:

Disc One: The Champ (Sonny Stitt) * Samba de Orpheus (Grant Green) * Domino (Rashaan Roland Kirk) * Love For Sale (Les McCann) * Summertime (Cedar Walton & Hank Mobley) * Solid (Woody Shaw) * John Coltrane (Clifford Jordan) * My Ideal (Sonny Criss) * Groovin' High (Kenny Burrell) * I Can't Get Started (Red Rodney) * Imitation Of A Kiss (The Jazz Passengers)

Disc Two: Yardbird Suite (Hank Jones) * Blue In Green (Pat Martino) * St. Peter's Walk (Louis Hayes) * You Better Go Now (Red Garland) * I Remember Clifford (Houston Person) * Rock Candy (Brother Jack McDuff) * Plum Street (Nat Adderley) * Good Bait (Bobby Hutcherson) * Fly Me To The Moon (Russell Gunn) * Stars Fell On Alabama (Vincent Herring) * Monk's Dream (Ralph Moore)

Disc Three: Ain't It The Truth (Catalyst) * Freedom Jazz Dance (Eddie Jefferson) * Goin' Home (Sonny Phillips) * Love Planet (Pete (LaRoca) Sims) * Solar (Wallace Roney) * Comin' Home Baby (Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis) * Wingspan (Mulgrew Miller) * Bolita (Willis Jackson) * Voyage a Deux (Donald Byrd) * Groove's Groove (Richard "Groove" Holmes)

© 2000 - DJ Johnson