Max Roach

The Clifford Brown/Max Roach quintet was formed during the spring and summer of 1954 in Los Angeles. A concert by an early version of the group (with tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, pianist Carl Perkins and bassist George Bledsoe) resulted in four titles,as did the earliest documentation of the permanent group (with tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow). All of the titles on this Fresh Sound CD, The California Concerts 1954, were previously issued on a GNP/Crescendo LP, but these are the full-length versions, with more extensive tenor and piano solos. In addition, 35 seconds of Clifford Brown's trumpet solo on "Tenderly" have also been restored, along with verbal introductions of the songs by drummer Max Roach. The music is as glorious as ever, with Brown consistently taking solo honors and being showcased on "Tenderly" and "I Can't Get Started." These versions of "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm," "Jordu," and Teddy Edwards' "Sunset Eyes" are definitive, but every selection is exciting. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide