As
Oliver Nelson is known primarily as a
big band leader and arranger, he is lesser known as a saxophonist and organizer of small ensembles.
Blues and the Abstract Truth is his triumph as a musician for the aspects of not only defining the sound of an era with his all-time classic
"Stolen Moments," but on this recording, assembling one of the most potent modern
jazz sextets ever. Lead trumpeter
Freddie Hubbard is at his peak of performance, while alto saxophonists
Nelson and
Eric Dolphy (
Nelson doubling on tenor) team to form an unlikely union that was simmered to perfection.
Bill Evans (piano),
Paul Chambers (bass), and
Roy Haynes (drums) can do no wrong as a rhythm section.
"Stolen Moments" really needs no comments, as its undisputable beauty shines through in a three-part horn harmony fronting
Hubbard's lead melody. It's a thing of beauty that is more timeless as the years pass. The "Blues" aspect is best heard on
"Yearnin'," a stylish, swinging, and swaying downhearted piece that is a bluesy as
Evans would ever be. Both "Blues" and "Abstract Truth" combine for the darker
"Teenie's Blues," a feature for
Nelson and
Dolphy's alto saxes,
Dolphy assertive in stepping forth with his distinctive, angular, dramatic, fractured, brittle voice that marks him a maverick. Then there's
"Hoedown," which has always been the black sheep of this collection with its
country flavor and stereo separated upper and lower horn in snappy call-and-response barking. As surging and searing hard boppers respectively,
"Cascades" and
"Butch & Butch" again remind you of the era of the early '60s when this music was king, and why
Hubbard was so revered as a young master of the idiom. A must buy for all
jazz fans, and a Top Ten or Top Fifty favorite for many. ~ Michael G. Nastos
![Pharoah [Expanded Edition]](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/0680899800815_p0_v2_s90x140.jpg "Pharoah [Expanded Edition]")
