Review - Kenny Burrell: Moten Swing!

KENNY BURRELL
Moten Swing! (Euphoria)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

Subtitled "The Columbia Records Instrumental Recordings 1961-62," this disc includes ten tracks that have been locked in the Columbia vaults for forty years, along with the 1983 album, Bluesin' Around, that provided the first glimpse of Burrell's instrumental work for the label in the early sixties.
What possessed Burrell and producer John Hammond to make the guitarist's first Columbia release a vocal album is a mystery, but while it was considered an artistic success, it wasn't what the jazz record buying public wanted from the then-reigning Downbeat Guitarist Of The Year. It didn't sell, and it's largely forgotten.
The material on Moten Swing! never got a chance to be heard, let alone forgotten, for twenty years, and then less than half, and arguably not all of the best, material was released. For fans of Burrell's cool-toned bop guitar work this disc is long overdue.
Among the musicians aboard for the four sessions that produced these tracks were saxophonist Illinois Jaquet, organist Jack McDuff, pianist Hank Jones and trombonist Eddie Bert, so this is also the first chance to hear some standout work by even more stellar players. The Euphoria Jazz series, created by the reissue wizards at Sundazed Records, has put some terrific music back in circulation, but this may be the most significant Euphoria release yet, with so much excellent music being released for the first time. It's Kenny Burrell at the peak of his powers along with some of the best horn and rhythm players in the business, and it's one you should hear.
Track List:
Moten Swing * Bye And Bye * The Squeeze * Opus 21 * Bluesin' Around * Mood Indigo * The Switch * Mambo Twist * People Will Say We're In Love * One Mint Julep * Gettin' In The Groove * Funk Junction * How Could You * Moten Swing (alternate version) * Bluesin' Around (alternate version) * Mambo Twist (alternate version) * People Will Say We're In Love (alternate version) * Gettin' In The Groove (alternate version)

© 2002 - Shaun Dale