(Dave Burns, trumpet; Stanley Turrentine, tenor sax; Wynton Kelly, piano; Paul chambers, bass; Art Taylor, drums; Carlos “Patato” Valdes, congas)
Although Art Taylor was a mainstay on drums for many years during the peak of the 1956-1966 golden years Blue Note hard bop period, he led only five sessions as a leader during his career. A.T.’s Delight was his only session as a leader for Blue Note and most hard bop connoisseurs believe that it was the best recording he ever made as a leader. Much of that praise comes from the all-star lineup on this recording. The rhythm section was arguably Blue Note’s best with Wynton Kelly and the legendary Paul Chambers working with A.T. The front line of Stanley Turrentine and Dave Burns was unique as Burns was not on the typical roster of Blue Note artists and he is an unsung hero of hard bop trumpet fans. Matching his lyrical playing with the soul and funk of Stanley Turrrentine on tenor guaranteed that this session would be in the upper echelon of all Blue Note releases. When you match this richness with the remastering of Rudy Van Gelder as part of the RVG series, you’ve got a stone cold winner. To sweeten the pot even further, Alfred Lion, Blue Note’s owner, added Carlos “Patato” Valdes on three cuts – Epistrophy, Move, and the calypso inflected Cookoo and Fungi. That further adds to the percussive stew that this session provides.
A.T.’s drums are immediately felt on the opening track, John Coltrane’s Syeeda’s Song Flute. Dave Burns then blows several choruses before Stanley’s unique soulful tenor enters. Then it’s back to Burns for several choruses and back to Stanley for the Burns and Turrentine show before Kelly solos. Taylor’s drums are upfront in the mix as on most every RVG series reissue, the drums and bass come more “alive” than on the previous CD issue. Valdes and his congas give Monk’s Epistrophy a Latin tinge supported by the front line smooth tenor/trumpet blend. It’s a more funky version of this song than usually given Monk’s classic.
Move is given a strict bop reading with muted trumpet and double time drumming and congas. Turrentine’s solos are a bit more frantic than one would expect from Stanley and it is a welcome change to hear him play in this fashion. Kenny Dorham’s High Seas is one of two Dorham compositions here, the other being the closing number, Blue Interlude. High Seas is given ballad treatment and features a warm solo by the underrated Burns. Dave plays in the manner of Blue Mitchell and his appearance is such a welcome addition to this Blue Note session. Kelly also gets some solo time as well and Taylor’s drumming is so in synch with the other session men. The remastered Chambers bass solo adds to the mix.
Cookoo and Fungi is heavily percussive with Valdes given center stage to play along with Turrentine and A.T. Art and Carlos make a seamless duo statement mid-song that would be at home on any classic drum/conga favorite list. This top tier Blue Note session is closed with Blue Interlude and once again Burns and Turrentine share honors.
Blue Note RVG series fans have been asking for a re-release of A.T.’s Delight. Well, it’s now here in resplendent remastered sound. It belongs in the collection of anyone who collects the RVG series as it has “the whole package” – sound, soul, and among the best small group Blue Note lineups ever.
TrackList: Syeeda’s Song Flute, Epistrophy, Move, High Seas, Cookoo and Fungi, Blue Interlude
– Jeff Krow
