Duke Pearson - Angel Eyes

dusty sez:

A rare pre-Blue Note session from Duke Pearson -- very mellow, very soulful, and with a quality that's unlike most of his later work! The album's a trio side, recorded for the Jazzline label, and it features Pearson on piano, Thomas Howard on bass, and Lex Humphries on drums -- the last of whom brings in some wonderfully lyrical lines on the kit, very much in the manner of the free, dancing rhythms used on records with Donald Byrd. Pearson's piano has a sharper edge than usual -- these dark, moody tones that are totally great -- almost a rougher version of his later sound, with a great sense of depth. Bob Cranshaw's bass and Walter Perkins' drums are featured on one number -- and titles include a killer take on "Jeannine", plus "Say You're Mine", "Le Carrousel", "Bags Groove", and "Exodus". Plus the CD features 3 alternate bonus takes!

barabara sounds sez:

I'm with dusty on that. Top sound quality — it's another high-quality Japanese CD reissue — plus you have to love that album cover.

Track listing: 1. Bags' Groove; 2. Le Carrousel; 3. Angel Eyes; 4. I'm An Old Cow Hand; 5. Jeannine; 6. Say You're Mine; 7. Exodus; 8. Le Carrousel (alternate take); 9. I'm An Old Cow Hand (alternate take); 10. Say You're Mine (alternate take)