Search - Max Roach :: Jazz in 3/4 Time (24bt) (Mlps)

Can you believe jazz in waltz time?

Robin Benson | 01/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought the LP of this wonderful Max Roach set in the late Fifties (it was recorded in 1957) and fortunately I was able to replace it with this CD in 1990 and I'm still playing it, too. As the sleeve notes say, Max Roach was less than enthusiastic when the EmArcy jazz boss Bob Shad suggested an album of jazz in waltz time but this CD confirms it is possible and it swings. For this disc the six original LP tracks have an addition of 'Lover' in stereo. Sonny Rollins and Kenny Dorham play some wonderful improvisations but it is the piano of Bill Wallace that makes me play this CD over and over again, he is just brilliant. The excellent Ray Bryant replaces Wallace on the last track. 'The most beautiful girl in the world' which was recorded a year earlier. 'Valse Hot' is unusual because of its fourteen minutes length and everyone gets to do their bit, including a drum solo in three four time.Now over fifty years old this jazz is still fresh, lively and swinging and still one of my favorite albums."