A really wonderful album
of obscure jazz recordings from the
Chicago scene
of the 70s – way more than just the usual school band record, as the tracks here are mostly originals, and performed by a very inventive group
of musicians! Governor's State
University was a very hip place at the time – a public college at the end
of the main train line running through the south side
of Chicago – which made the school a place
of great opportunity and expression for the city's African-American community. Rather than a junior college, GSU had higher levels
of learning – and had an especially strong jazz program, as you'll hear in this set – which features both sextet performances and work by a larger ensemble – both imbued with some
of the best creative legacy
of the
Chicago scene. Things never go far outside, but there's definitely a deeper understanding
of musical reaches taking place here – and the core quartet features Walter Henderson on cornet, John Pate on piano, Eugene Vineyard on tenor, Ronald Askew on guitar, Jeff Simon on bass, and Curtis Prince on drums. These players are in the larger group – which also features William Howell and Gerald Myrow on trombones, Vincent Carter and Steele Seales on saxes, and Kenneth Brass and Melvin Williams on trumpets. Titles include "Crabmeat", "Song For Suzanne", "Keishaz", "Give It One", "Listen Here", and "Spanish Samba".
(Great Japanese pressing – with obi! Part of the excellent Groove Diggers series!)