SUNDAY JAZZ
PAUL CHAMBERS
Paul Chambers - Mosaic Select 05 [2003] (3 x CDs)
This 3-CD set gathers the core of Paul Chambers’ early sessions as a leader, recorded between 1956 and 1959 for Jazz West, Transition, and Blue Note. The material is drawn from Chambers’ Music, Whims of Chambers, Paul Chambers Quintet, and Bass on Top, along with two duet performances from a 1959 Sonny Clark session. Mosaic presents the recordings in chronological order, allowing the progression of Chambers’ work to be heard through changes in personnel, studio sound, and ensemble shape.
CD1 opens with the March 2, 1956, Hollywood session for Jazz West, recorded at Western Recorders. The quartet of Chambers, John Coltrane, Kenny Drew, and Philly Joe Jones works through compact pieces with a dry, close‑miked sound typical of the studio. The set then moves to the September 21, 1956, Hackensack session for Whims of Chambers, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder. The expanded group, including Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell, Horace Silver, and Coltrane, brings a fuller tone and more layered writing.
CD2 begins with the April 20, 1956, Transition session from Cambridge, Massachusetts, long known for its fragmented release history. Only one track appeared at the time, with the remaining material issued later. The performances are extended and exploratory, shaped by Curtis Fuller, Pepper Adams, Coltrane, and Jones. The disc then returns to Van Gelder’s studio for the 1957 Paul Chambers Quintet session, featuring Donald Byrd, Clifford Jordan, Tommy Flanagan, and Elvin Jones.
CD3 focuses on Bass on Top, recorded July 14, 1957, with Kenny Burrell, Hank Jones, and Art Taylor. These tracks highlight Chambers’ melodic approach, especially in the arco passages. The set closes with two duets with Art Blakey from March 29, 1959, captured at the start of a Sonny Clark session. (B)
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Track lists
CD1
01 Paul Chambers - Dexterity 6:46
02 Paul Chambers - Stablemates 5:52
03 Paul Chambers - Easy to Love 3:52
04 Paul Chambers - Visitation 4:57
05 Paul Chambers - Trans's Blues (aka John Paul Jones) 6:56
06 Paul Chambers - Eastbound 4:24
07 Paul Chambers - Omicron 7:18
08 Paul Chambers - Whims of Chambers 4:05
09 Paul Chambers - Nita 6:33
10 Paul Chambers - We Six 7:42
11 Paul Chambers - Dear Ann 4:20
12 Paul Chambers - Tales of The Fingers 4:44
13 Paul Chambers - Just for The Love 3:42
CD2
01 Paul Chambers - Trane's Strain 11:04
02 Paul Chambers - High Step 8:12
03 Paul Chambers - Nixon, Dixon, and Yates Blues 8:29
04 Paul Chambers - Minor Run-Down 7:39
05 Paul Chambers - The Hand of Love 6:24
06 Paul Chambers - Softly as in A Morning Sunrise 3:08
07 Paul Chambers - Four Strings 5:28
08 Paul Chambers - What's New 5:40
09 Paul Chambers - Beauteous 8:08
10 Paul Chambers - Four Strings (Alternate Take) 5:12
CD3
01 Paul Chambers - Yesterdays 5:53
02 Paul Chambers - You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To 7:17
03 Paul Chambers - Chasin' The Bird 6:19
04 Paul Chambers - Dear Old Stockholm 6:45
05 Paul Chambers - The Theme 6:15
06 Paul Chambers - Confessin' (I'm Confessin' That I Love You) 4:15
07 Paul Chambers - Chamber Mates 5:04
08 Paul Chambers - I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm 7:09
09 Paul Chambers - What is This Thing Called Love 5:43
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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.
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thanks so much. The Mosaic Jazz Selects are hard to come by. I have some of his blue notes. Mr. PC as I recall was his nickname!
ReplyDeleteJust checked, I have one called on Bass On Top which was one of the first blue note cut out CDs that I got for cheap way back in the 80s. The other one is called Whims of Chambers and Coltrane is on it!
ReplyDeleteso the rest are newer or unhead to my old jazz ears. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteHi Joe,
DeleteMr. PC is right, that nickname followed him everywhere, and for good reason. Bass on Top is a lovely early Blue Note to have in the collection, one of those cut‑outs that turned out to be gold. And Whims of Chambers with Coltrane onboard… that’s a keeper.
The Mosaic material goes deeper, so it makes sense some of it feels newer to your ears. That’s part of the fun, familiar ground mixed with fresh corners you haven’t walked through yet.
It really is my pleasure to present these sets.
Cheers.
Thanks for this Butterboy, that "Chasin' The Bird" with Kenny Burrell is a humdinger.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob Mac,
DeleteChasin’ the Bird with Kenny Burrell really is a humdinger, tight, bright, and full of that easy swing Chambers could lock into without breaking a sweat. It’s one of those tracks that reminds you how naturally he lifted every session he touched.
Thanks as always, Bob.
Cheers.
I always admired Paul Chambers with regard to his unique work with Miles Davis (the 1st great quintet) and later on Wynton Kelly. Now, these recordings are a very welcome guide to his "pre-years", especially with the in inclusion of "Bass On Top". But dying with only 33 years of age - what a waste of talent and artistic future! Thanks, BB & Best: TC
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, BB!
ReplyDelete