Search - Ike Quebec :: Ballads: Ike Quebec

A complex set of late night tracks!

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 06/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The tracks on this album come from six different sessions spread over three years from 1960 to 1963. That it has as much coherence as it does is down to the languid and breathy playing of Quebec, set against some excellent and sympathetic sidesmen. Track 2 wasn't a Quebec session at all, but came from Grant Green's "Born to be Blue" session in 1962. The version of "Nancy" is excellent with some great Sonny Clark piano solo, and has Art Blakey on drums. Tracks 3,4 and 5, do indeed have Freddie Roach playing on them,Track 3 is from "Heavy Soul" and tracks 4 & 5 are from "It might as well be spring".Roach is excellent, but so is Milt Hinton on bass,and Quebec's breathing is all over the recording! Tracks 6 & 7 are a particular joy with "If I could be with you" shading it.Few tracks can have had the sax mouthpiece so closely miked up for recording, and Sir Charles Thompson on organ makes great use of the Leslie cabinet.Both tracks were recorded as 45's at one session in 1960. The last two tracks are from 1962, and feature yet another organist, Earl Vandyke, who is quite restrained, and plays off against more breathy Quebec playing, and some guitar breaks from Willie Jones.Both tracks appeared on an album called "With a song in my heart". So this CD enterprise was an attempt by Blue Note to create a coherent Ike Quebec album, and against all the odds it really works! Be warned though, this really is late nite listening!"

Another Sleeping Giant

Marshino | Austin, TX USA | 07/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow...what a fabulous find. Jazz enthusiasts know of Ike Quebec, but the average jazz music fan has no idea of who this man is and what a great sound he has. This is a sultry, sensual feast for trained and untrained ears alike. Freddie Roach adds a unique touch with the organ that only Freddie can do. Ike Quebec doesn't get the notoriety he truly deserves in the line up of tenor sax players, but after indulging yourself on this CD, I'm sure you will agree."

Wonderful, soulful

K. Mcsweeney | augusta, ga | 02/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my first Ike Quebec CD and it's very soulful and dreamy. I love it. It really takes you away."