LES McCANN/MITCHELL-RUFF TRIO
20 Special Fingers (32 Jazz)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Having produced a number of fine multi-disc sets for single artists, 32 Records has begun to do release some twofers that match up artists from the 32 vaults. The first featured Yusef Lateef and Rahsaan Roland Kirk and this one follows with Les McCann's 1968 Atlantic debut, Much Les, and the Mitchell-Ruff Trio's 1961 Atlantic release, The Catbird Seat.

Much Les is built around a simple foundation of McCann's piano and voice, Leroy Vinnegar's bass and Donald Dean's drums, augumented by percussion from Willie Bobo and Victor Pantoja and the skillfully understated use of a string section. It's classic McCann, soulful and swinging, and belongs in anyone's collection.

The connection between the two albums is the connection between McCann and pianist Dwike Mitchell, who McCann cites as one of his three primary influences (with Errol Garner and Miles Davis). The Mitchell-Ruff Trio was Dwike with bassist Willie Ruff and drummer Charlie Smith. The Catbird Seat is a recording of a live performance at New Haven's Playback Club, which was owned by Ruff. It's a performance you'll be playing back frequently once it's in your hands.

If future installments in the 32 Jazz dual artist series maintain this standard, we've got some great listening ahead. Meanwhile, 20 Special Fingers offers plenty of great listening now.

Track Lists:

Disc One: Les McCann - Much Les: Doin' That Thing * With These Hands * Burnin' Coal * Benjamin * Love For Sale * Roberta

Disc Two: Mitchell-Ruff Trio - The Catbird Seat: The Catbird Seat * Street Of Dreams * So In Love * Con Alma * Gypsy In My Soul * I'll Remember April

(C) 1998 - Shaun Dale