Horace Silver Trio, Vol. 1: Spotlight on Drums [RVG Edition] [Remaster]

Performer: Horace Silver/Horace Silver Trio
Artist: Percy Heath; Art Blakey
Engineer: Doug Hawkins
Producer: Alfred Lion; Michael Cuscuna (Reissue)
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Horace Silver (piano); Sabu Martinez (vocals, congas); Gene Ramey, Percy Heath, Curly Russell (bass); Art Blakey (drums). Recorded at WOR Studio, New York, New York on October 9 & 20, 1952 and November 23, 1953. Originally released on Blue Note (1520). Includes liner notes by Leonard Feather and Bob Blumenthal. Personnel: Horace Silver (piano); Sabu Martinez (vocals, congas); Art Blakey (drums). Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder. Liner Note Authors: Leonard Feather; Bob Blumenthal. Recording information: WOR STudios, New York, NY (10/09/1952-11/23/1953). Photographer: Francis Wolff. Several early-1950s sessions were culled to produce this must-have collection of pianist Horace Silver in a rare trio setting. Together with longtime partner Art Blakey on drums and the likes of Gene Ramey, Curly Russell, and Percy Heath on bass, Silver masterfully swings through several of his most famous compositions and a few standards. Classic tunes like "Horoscope," "Quicksilver," "Ecaroh," and "Opus De Funk" are given superb readings here as Silver and Blakey display their legendary kinship. Silver's powers of interpretation are in full stride as well, with great standards like "Thou Swell," "I Remember You," and "How About You" getting sparkling, fresh-sounding treatments. Also included in this set are two startling all-percussion jams from Blakey and conga master Sabu that foreshadow Blakey's groundbreaking ORGY IN RHYTHM sessions a few years later. After getting his start with Stan Getz in 1950, Horace Silver began recording his own sides for Blue Note in 1952-1953. Horace Silver Trio represents the best pieces from those two years. Pianist Silver is joined by drummer Art Blakey and bassists Gene Ramey, Curly Russell, and Percy Heath for 16 cuts, including the propulsive "Message From Kenya" and the high-octane "Opus De Funk." As with all good trio work, the strength of the group rests on the intricate interaction of the players, and Silver's trio sounds tight no matter who's playing bass. There are a number of funky originals by the leader, including a bouncy "Buhaina" and the intriguingly structured "Silverware." Blakey, likewise, shines as a writer on "Message From Kenya" and "Nothing But the Soul," two pieces featuring the congas of Sab� Mart�nez. There are also nice renditions of Duke Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss" and Mercer/Bloom's "Day in, Day Out." Horace Silver Trio offers a solid portrait of the pianist before the Jazz Messengers, and shows that his style -- rhythmic, spunky, and filled with clever flourishes -- was intact before the birth of his famous band. This hard-bopping album serves as a fine introduction to Silver and Blakey. ~ Ronnie Lankford, Jr.

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