"Quintet" is Back in Chambers
Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 02/13/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Paul Chambers' "Quintet" was first issued on CD in 1996 as part of the limited edition Blue Note Connoisseur Series, and after drifting out of print for a few years, it is now back as an RVG title. Originally as an LP, this album was issued in mono, but as a CD it has been remixed in stereo (the old CD was stereo too). Recorded on May 19, 1957, this session features the great bassist playing alongside Donald Byrd on trumpet, Clifford Jordan on tenor sax, Tommy Flanagan on piano, and Elvin Jones on drums. "Quintet" is an above average blowing session in my opinion, strengthened by the compositional contributions of Chambers and Benny Golson, who wrote "Four Strings" specifically for this date (an alternate take of this song is also included). While this disc contains nothing extraordinary, it is definitely solid jazz from the most solid timekeeper of the day."