Fly Me To The Moon (Comin' On Strong/Another Bag)

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Two tremendous early 60s sessions from James Moody – both recorded for Argo Records, and both featuring a young Kenny Barron on piano! First up is Comin On Strong – a prime Argo gem from James Moody – and key proof that when he wanted to, he could be one of the hippest cats working in 60s jazz! The approach here is subtle, but amazing – a blend of hardbop with some of the more modern ideas that were coming up in the post-bop generation from the team of Moody and Dizzy Gillespie. The rhythms are quite complicated at times – very fresh and vibrant, but without any of the easy gimmicks that other 60s artists would fall into – like vamping soul jazz or borrowed bossa lines. Instead, working in a combo with a young Kenny Barron, Moody concentrates on fresh timings and complicated changes – modes that push his own work on alto, tenor, and flute far from expected territory – and which also features Barron on piano and organ, George Eskridge on guitar, Chris White on bass, and Rudy Collins on drums. Tracks include "Zanzibar", "Dizzy", "Ole", "Sonnymoon For Two", and a nice version of "Fly Me To The Moon". Another Bag is hip, angular, post-bop material from James Moody – the kind of album that made him one of the key soul jazz innovators of the 60s! The session's one of Moody's excellent outings with arranger Tom McIntosh – a young talent who helped re-shape Moody's musical vision with his deeply colorful arrangements – penned here for a smallish group, but still breaking out with deeper tones than Moody had ever expressed before on record! Tunes are a wonderful mix of modal, soul jazz, and more introspective tunes – played by James on both flute and tenor, alongside hip players that include Kenny Barron on piano, Paul Serrano on trumpet, Marshall Thompson on drums, Ernest Outlaw on bass, and John Avant on trombone. Titles include some excellent McIntosh originals – like "The Cup Bearers", "The Day After", "Minuet In G", and "Ally" – plus equally-fresh tunes "Spastic" and "Pleyel D'Jaime".  © 1996-2024, Dusty Groove, Inc.