Search - Nat Adderley :: Talkin About You

Although an incisive soloist and a fine bandleader, cornetist Nat Adderley is probably best known first as his brother Cannonball's sidekick and as the man who has maintained the great alto saxophonist's legacy. That's especially true of this 1990 session, reissued by 32 Records. The title track is a dedication to Cannon; its producer, Orrin Keepnews, frequently worked the board with both Adderleys in the late '50s; two of the sidemen, drummer Jimmy Cobb and bassist Walter Booker played extensively with the Adderleys while another, alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, is a Cannon protege. Although the stage is set for ghosts, the music is full tilt hard bop with glorious solos by each of the aforementioned plus pianist Rob Bargad, whose work on Victor Feldman's "Azule Serape" is a highlight. Since this is a CD being reissued on CD there are no alternate takes or new material, but these eight tracks (and no "Work Song," "Country Preacher," or anything that obvious) stand just fine on their own merits; only seven years after its original release, it's due another hearing. --Martin Johnson