Awake Jazz Fans!
Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 09/08/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Until the superb "Conflict" shows its pretty face on CD (the album features the incredible lineup of Carmell Jones, Harold Land, Andrew Hill, George Tucker and Elvin Jones!), "Awakening" is a great place to start with this fine alto-saxophonist. This album, recorded over two sessions in late 1961 and early 1962, features either Joe Gordon or Martin Banks on trumpet, Amo Trice or Dick Whittington on piano, Jimmy Bend or Gary Peacock on bass, and Milt Turner on drums. Don't worry, I've never heard of most these guys either (the exceptions being Gordon who played on Shelly Manne's "Blackhawk" recordings (see my reviews), and of course Peacock), but they all play quite solidly. The material is straight ahead hard bop, and the album's best tracks are "Circus," "Roma" and a nice version of the standard "Love for Sale." This CD is a limited edition so curiousity seekers should go for it soon."