Search - Ernie Wilkins :: Top Brass Featuring 5 Trumpets

Most under-rated trumpet recording ever?

JetTone12 | USA | 09/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To answer the question above, quite possibly. Nobody seems to have heard this besides myself, and I feel horrible about that. This album is amazing. The trumpet players are also wonderful, but under-rated cats. Ernie Royal, Idrees Suliman, Donald Byrd, Joe Wilder and Ray Copeland. Also, Charlie Shavers, Art Farmer and Harold "Shorty" Baker make an appearance on the new bonus tracks. Ernie Wilkins can really make a great composition, as he shows on this album. "58 Market Street" is a wonderful, cupped, bouncy tune. I absolutely love the theme. It swings like no other. "Trick Or Treat" is the highlight of the whole album, with the players trading phrases in the head, and some amazing ensemble playing. It's a kind of "Cat And Mouse" thing. Great composition by Mr. Wilkins. "Speedway" is a nice energetic bop tune where everyone plays well, somewhat similar to the title track which is a speedy, swinging ditty with amazing ensemble playing. Then there's a laid-back blues "Dot's What", with great mute work. The ballads are all wonderful, each player picks a personal favorite and plays it beautifully, amazing phrasing and sweet sounds. Hank Jones plays great accompaniment on piano. The last two bonus songs with Ernie Royal, Art Farmer, Charlie Shavers and Emmett Berry are nice to hear as well. Ernie really stepped up his high chops on these later sessions. "Trumpets All Out" and "Blues In 6/4" were joys to listen to. I came across this album because I am a fan of Ernie Royal's trumpet playing and found this gem by mistake. If you order this on Amazon, see it in a store, whatever you do: don't let it go! This is one of the most under-rated trumpet albums ever. "Trick Or Treat", "58 Market Street" and the ballads alone are more than worth the price of admission. Classic!"