Curtis Amy: Groovin' Blue / Way Down / Tippin' On Through auf 2 CDs

Between 1960 and 1963 Texas tenor Curtis Amy (1927-2002) made six superb albums for Dick Bock’s Pacific Jazz label, three of which, “Groovin’ Blue,” “Way Down,” and “Tippin’ on Through,” are included here. They were part of Bock’s recognition of the emergence on the West Coast scene of a more groove-based, harder swinging approach than the cooler, considered style that preceded it. He chose well. Years of semi-obscurity in L. A. dance bands and organ combos had made Amy a thoroughly seasoned, assertive and inventive player in the mould of fellow tenor, Harold Land; these Pacific albums established him as a major exponent of the new music revitalizing West Coast jazz.

For these recordings, which also showcased his considerable capacity as a writer and his sensitive way with ballads, Amy was surrounded by some of the finest young lions on the scene, creative soloists who combined soul and imagination with the ability to swing hard. Adding a timeless lustre to this consistently engaging music is the sterling work of trumpeters Carmell Jones and Marcus Belgrave, vibists Bobby Hutcherson and Roy Ayers, pianists Frank Strazzeri, Vic Feldman and John Houston, valve trombonist Roy Brewster and outstanding rhythm section men like Frank Butler, Lawrence Marable, Jimmy Bond and George Morrow.

Featuring: Carmell Jones, Marcus Belgrave (tp), Roy Brewster (tb), Curtis Amy (ts), Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Ayers (vib), Frank Strazzeri, John Houston, Victor Feldman (p), Jimmy Bond, George Morrow, Bob Whitlock (b), Frank Butler, Tony Bazley, Lawrence Marable (d)

(freshsoundrecords. com)