Cool Gator ! ! !
Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 11/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ughghghghghgh.... so it looks like this one too is back out of print !!! Folks, band together, write the label - - let them know that the DEMAND *is* there... trust me... I've never been in a room where I didn't spin some Willis and the SAME people who dug Lou and Sonny didn't cream for the gator... and no doubt, the same people who are still so loyal to Gene Ammons, Stanley Turrentine and Sonny Stitt woul definitely buy each and every Willis Jackson album available IF they had the chance to discover him... and here perhaps is the problem: Unlike Lou's albums that pretty much sell themselves, Willis probably needs to be marketed... and the truth is once you get into marketing and advertising, even an album that might sell out a basic pressing of 1000-3000 is going to represent a major loss of money to the label... ergo WILLIS JACKSON is victim #1 of the Darwinian economics... however, I say one thing: Take a listen to this tastily and answer me the question: even in this mean old world, shouldn't things like "truth" and "beauty" prevail...?
The album incidentally includes Jack McDuff (definitely a protege of Willis) and Wild Bill Jennings, one of the forgotten godfather's of modern Jazz guitar... later on (as in on future recordings) Pat Martino would replace Bill Jennins, and a great organists (who'd never really get his props) Carl Wilson would replace brother Jack. - - Boogaloo Joe would also be a key member of Willis's later ensembles.
As you'll listen to Willis, you'll hear a slightly "cooler" incarnation of the Gator, once famous for his overtop showmanship... On this one, he's definitely "up on it", but you'll hear a much more thoughtful and refined side to him demonstrating the fact that beyond all the smoke and fire was indeed a true artist and genius...
As to the decision of the label to put this one out in their "Legends of Acid Jazz" series, clever marketing at the time perhaps, however, I'm sure some acid Jazzers were disappointed as it is really COOL SWING not FUNKY SOUL JAZZ... organ/tenor combo fans (actually tenor fans in general) in contrast who haven't heard this yet may very well wet their pants.
In conclusion, there are definitely other Willis Jackson albums I'd rather see re-issued (especially the one's with Carl Wilson walking his mean LH bass and Martino cookin' out) - - check out their arrangement of SECRET LOVE if you can find it anywhere... but all in all, this album is a delight to listen to any time!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1