RCD-30503, 1962, 45:00 **** [Distr. by Concord Records]:
(Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, alto sax; Nat Adderley, cornet; Yusef Lateef, tenor sax, flute, oboe; Joe Zawinul, piano; Sam Jones, bass; Louis Hayes, drums)
Cannonball Adderley makes an opening comment on In New York, that his group had made a lot of live recording sessions on the West Coast before they determined that the New York audiences were “hip” enough for an East Coast live session. The inclusion of Yusef Lateef to Cannon’s group must have made them ready to tackle the Big Apple. Lateef brought a whole new arsenal of instruments to broaden the sound of Adderley’s group to more than a soul jazz contingent.
This NYC session recorded live at the Village Vanguard was the recording debut of the sextet with Lateef. It provides a bigger palette to expand the band’s sound. Sure the inclusion of Gemini, Scotch and Water, and Planet Earth continue the soul jazz tradition that Adderley’s band was known for, however, Planet Earth does have some bop influence. On Syn-Thesis one can find the beginnings of the Middle Eastern and more progressive influences that Lateef brought to the band, here on the oboe, and in the future on a variety of wooden horns.
Joe Tarantino has done a fine job in 24 bit remastering the tricky acoustics that the snug confines of the Village Vanguard provide. Keepnews has continued to reissue significant sessions from his extensive Riverside vaults. Keep ‘em coming Orrin!
-Jeff Krow
