African Cookbook Archive

Randy Weston – African Cookbook – Atlantic/ PurePleasure

by Audiophile Audition | May 2, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

A tasty musical stew from Randy Weston… Randy Weston – African Cookbook – Atlantic/ PurePleasure PPAN SD1609 – stereo vinyl (1964) ****: (Randy Weston – piano, celeste; Ray Copeland – trumpet, Flugelhorn, arranger; Booker Ervin – tenor sax; Vishnu Wood – bass; Lenny McBrowne – drums; Big Black – congas, vocal on “Congolese Children”; Sir Harold Murray – percussion) It is quite surprising that Randy Weston could not find a label to release his 1964 recording, African Cookbook. It features the superb tenor saxist, Booker Ervin, as well as trumpeter, Ray Copeland, who ably handled the arrangements. The music was very approachable and combined straight ahead jazz in a bluesy vein along with African rhythms provided by Big Black and Sir Harold Murray. Weston had to issue the album himself on his small label, Bakton. Eight years later, Atlantic Records made the smart decision to give a wider reception to the album and it met wide acceptance. PurePleasure Records, out of England, who recognize historical quality in their reissue series, recently decided to provide an audiophile upgrade to 180 gm vinyl using their ace mastering engineer Ray Staff. The acoustics are superb and the percussion and horns benefit, as well […]