One of Morgan's Best
Buddy Bolden | USA | 08/28/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Although the fact that Blue Note has taken so long to get around to reissuing this in the U.S. might lead one to conclude that it is for completists only, in fact "Volume Three" is an exceptionally strong album -- not quite a classic, perhaps, but one Morgan's very best from this early period of his brief career. The trumpeter himself is in excellent form, and he is joined by a fine group of sidemen; in particular, the presence of Wynton Kelly and Paul Chambers in the rhythm section ensures that the soloists receive expert accompaniment and that the music never fails to swing. (The band also includes Gigi Gryce on alto saxophone, Benny Golson on tenor saxophone, and Charlie Persip on drums.)
What really sets this album apart from others of similar vintage, however, is the material. A typical small-group jazz album in 1957 would have featured a couple of standards, a couple of serviceable but not particularly memorable originals by members of the band, and maybe a blues; most of Blue Note's records from the period adhere to this formula, albeit with better-than-average results. In this case, however, all five selections were written and arranged by the great Benny Golson, one of the most accomplished composers in the history of mainstream modern jazz. As a result, the album's sound is both more cohesive and more distinctive than was the norm, and even fifty years later, all five tunes still sound strikingly fresh, vital, and interesting. (The standout, not surprisingly, is the debut recording of Golson's beautiful elegy to Clifford Brown, "I Remember Clifford," but all four of the other pieces are very good indeed, and deserve to be better known than they are.) Additionally, the musicians seem well prepared, and it's clear that they are inspired by Golson's compositions; even by the high standards one associates with the Blue Note label, the playing is especially tight, authoritative, and energetic. Very highly recommended for any fan of 1950s hard bop."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1