Craft Recordings releases a re-mastered vinyl of an under-appreciated pianist.
Phineas Newborn Jr. – A World Of Piano! – Contemporary Records (1962)/Craft Recordings CR00606 (2023) Acoustic Sounds Series 180-gram stereo vinyl, 39:34 ****1/2:
(Phineas Newborn Jr. – piano; Paul Chambers – double bass; Philly Joe Jones – drums; Sam Jones – double bass; Louis Hayes – drums)
Like many jazz pianists, Phineas Newborn Jr. began his career in blues bands. Among his early accomplishments was playing with B.B. King, Big Walter Thornton, Lionel Hampton and Charles Mingus. Despite ongoing health issues, Newborn recorded for over 30 years as a band leader. The six albums for Contemporary Records are an integral part of his contribution to jazz. His highly technical style (sometimes criticized) was influenced by Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and Bud Powell.
Craft Recordings has released a re-mastered 180-gram vinyl of A World Of Piano. Originally released in 1962 on Contemporary, Newborne interacts with two stellar trios in translating 8 standards. Side 1 opens with the Charlie Parker tune, “Cherry”. With Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones setting a tight rhythm, Newborn takes the lead with finger-snapping hard bop vitality. While the playing is precise, there is a swing element element that moves the jam. With a Latin’-infused groove, “Manteca” (Dizzy Gillespie) is highly percussive with relentless drumming by Jones. Newborn injects bop syncopation and deft soulful articulation. His incendiary right-hand notation percolates and the trio is in lockstep. There are grandiose chords and a unison connection with drums and piano over a hypnotic vamp.
Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” (an iconic part of the Duke Ellington legacy) is a perfect match for Newborn. He distills the sophisticated elegance and melodic nuances. His acuity for capturing compositional motifs and injecting notes of classicism with a late night blues vibe is impressive. The rhythm section is used sparingly (only on the chorus). Drawing on another jazz legend (Clifford Brown), “Dahoud” has a swing arrangement with Newborn executing sprightly runs. Jones gets a well-deserved solo with varying tempos before turning it back to the trio.
In just over three minutes Sonny Rollins’ “Oleo” (Side Two features double bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes) bristles with intensity and the Jones/Hayes hard-driving tempo is electrifying. There are several drum breaks and Newborn and Jones play off each other. With a bluesy sway, Horace Silver’s “Juicy Lucy” is breezy with soulful piano runs. There is a playful resonance to the track. In 3/4 time, “For Carl” (written by Leroy Vinnegar) is also tempo-driven with subtle piano flourishes and a rhythmic pulse. This arrangement is complex and multi-faceted.The finale, (“Cabs”) is straight-ahead jazz with rousing dynamics and cohesive play in the ensemble. Newborn’s solos are precise and scintillating. Hayes shines on his drum breaks. Jones contributes a lithe double bass solo.
Kudos to Craft Recordings for this audiophile vinyl upgrade. The stereo separation is excellent and the overall sound mix is vibrant. This pressing (Bernie Grundman/ORP) is top notch with little surface noise with no hisses our pops. Phineas Newborn Jr. was a formidable jazz artist and deserves greater recognition for his career accomplishments.
—Robbie Gerson
Phineas Newborn Jr. – A World Of Piano!
TrackList:
Side 1: Cherry; Manteca; Lush Life; Dahoud
Side 2: Oleo; Juicy Lucy; For Carl; Cabu.
More information from Acoustic Sounds
