Visiting Matt Fripps' website, Jazz Fuel, is always interesting. He has his finger on the pulse of everything from the dawn of jazz right up to the time when jazz ceased to be jazz. We all have our own opinion on the actual date. For some it might be when Benny Goodman launched the swing era, others may cite the evolution of bebop by Bird and Diz, Miles' Bitches Brew or Knats' Geordie Jazz all of which could, and indeed have had accusing fingers pointed at them. To each his own - a blues by any other name is still a blues.
Back to Jazz Fuel. In a recent post, Matt drew attention to three underrated tenor sax players: Booker Ervin, Harold Land and Tina Brooks making reference to Booker's 1964 Prestige recording The Space Book - an album I've had for some years but not played recently. What a tremendous player! Backed by Jaki Byard (piano). Dave Holland (bass) and Alan Dawson (drums) we hear two originals - Number Two and Mojo - plus a couple of gorgeous ballads - I Can't Get Started and There is no Greater Love On all four he displays a technique and creativety to match any tenorist you care to name.
Thank you Matt for giving me the nudge to seek it out. Lance
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