Details

Field of Interest

Jazz

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

1 hour 15 mins

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Soul Jazz

Label

Prestige

Page Count

12

Performer

Harold Mabern, 1936-, George Coleman, 1935-, Buddy Terry, 1941-, Bill Lee, 1928-, Walter Perkins, 1932-2004

Date Recorded

1968-12-23

Release Date

2004

Review

When record labels like Prestige release two albums on one CD, it's a great bargain for music fans. A Few Miles from Memphis combines the album of the same name and Rakin' and Scrapin', both recorded by pianist Harold Mabern in 1968. On the first set he's joined by tenors George Coleman and Buddy Terry, bassist Bill Lee, and drummer Walter Perkins for a bluesy, rhythm-filled set featuring familiar fare like "A Treat for Bea" and fun originals like "Walkin' Back." There's also the odd inclusion of "There's a Kind of Hush," a pop song that comes out sounding like an old standard here. The second set includes a similar setup but inserts trumpeter Blue Mitchell into the lineup and brings drummer Hugh Walker on board. There's a nice take on "Rakin' and Scrapin'" with some great solo work by Mitchell and Coleman, and a solid version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." Mabern's piano work is excellent on both albums, whether building the rhythmic base that keeps these pieces in motion or offering energetic solos. Despite the small changes between sets, these two albums easily flow into one another and offer a nice, 75-minute portrait of Mabern in 1968. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., All Music Guide

Subject

Jazz, Music & Performing Arts, Soul Jazz, Soul Jazz

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Soul Jazz