A classic Hampton Hawes release gets a winning sonic upgrade…
Hampton Hawes – For Real! – Contemporary/ Craft Recordings #CR 00709 – 180 gm stereo vinyl LP – 1958 – 45:35 – ****
(Artists: Hampton Hawes – piano; Harold Land – tenor sax; Scott LaFaro – bass; Frank Butler – drums)
As part of their Contemporary Records Acoustic Sound Series, Craft Recordings has chosen pianist Hampton Hawes’ eleventh album, For Real! , for a sonic upgrade. It uses the original master tapes for the lacquers pressed on 180 gm vinyl, by the iconic engineer, Bernie Grundman.
It’s a worthy choice for an upgrade, as it was the first album that the West Coast based piano star recorded with a horn. The vast majority of Hampton’s recordings were done as a trio. Here, the emerging tenor saxophonist, Harold Land, is added to give a new dimension to the sound mix, bringing his soulful blues timbre, to blend with Hawes’ distinctive church based gospel blues background.
Recorded in 1958, this album was not released until 1961. This may have been because the Hampton was jailed soon after this recording due to drug issues. He was released from prison after receiving clemency, by President John Kennedy.
Besides Harold Land’s involvement, this album is also important as it includes the (then ) 22 year old bassist, Scott LaFaro, who was killed in a car accident four years later, about the time this LP was released. Scott became famous as the bassist for Bill Evans before Scott’s passing, that has become known as a highlight of Evans’ long career.
There are three bop standards, and three Hawes and Land originals on this 45 minute release.
The album opens with “Hip,” (and it certainly is…). Both Land and LaFaro solo on this blues track. “Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,” has a late night bar ambiance, with another soulful solo by Harold Land.
“Crazeology,” is an early bop classic, written by Bennie Harris, a bop trumpeter, who never got his due as a song writer. Harris is also known for the bop gem, “Ornithology.” Both were done by famously by Bird. Here, Land “trades fours” with drummer, Frank Butler.
Side 2 has “Numbers Game,” written by Hampton and Land. All four members solo. “For Real,” follows, and tension and release is present. It opens with some of Leroy Vinnegar’s walking bass lines, for which he was a master. Its eleven minute clocking time gives each member a chance to solo.
The album’s closer is Cole Porter’s, “I Love You.” Its blistering tempo is set by Land, with Hampton ably keeping pace.
This is an exemplary release, and its remastered acoustics earn the album’s title easily!
—Jeff Krow
Hampton Hawes – For Real!
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Hip
Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
Crazeology
Side 2:
Numbers Game
For Real
I Love You
More Information through Craft
