Two late 60s classics from trumpet legend Don Ellis – back to back in a single set!
Autumn is an album of explosive power and imagination from Don Ellis – a set that shows him very firmly shaking off the more academic mode of earlier years, and heading into hipper, more youth-oriented directions! The group's still a bit band on most numbers – but it's one with a lean, well-crafted sound that's not really big band jazz, and which also features some elements of later soundtrack scoring. Players on the date are all great – and include Frank Strozier, John Klemmer, and Ira Schulman on saxes – plus Pete Robinson on clavinet, piano, and electric piano! The set begins with the beautiful extended "Variations For Trumpet" – a suite-type number that has plenty of great colors from Ellis, plus loads of other horn work too. Other titles include "Indian Lady", "Pussy Wiggle Stomp", "Scratt & Fluggs", and "Child Of Ecstasy". Shock Treatment is one of the first really funky records from Don Ellis! Ellis was an emerging California trumpeter/
composer who'd noodled around with some modern big band work in the mid 60s – but this hip 1968 session has him adding in elements like clavinet, Fender Rhodes, sitar, timbales, vibes, percussion, and even a spot of vocals to change the groove to a more mod and swinging one. Titles include "Mercy Mabye Mercy", "New Kind Of Country", "Zim", "Star Children", "Opus 5", "Rasty", "The Tihai", and "Milo's Theme". Plus, the CD also includes some bonus tracks not on the original album!