ART FARMER - Early Art (1954-2006) RM / MONO / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two of trumpeter Art Farmer's earlier sessions as a leader are reissued on this CD in the OJC series. Farmer teams up with an all-star quintet (which includes tenor-saxophonist Sonny Rollins, pianist Horace Silver, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Kenny Clarke) for four songs and dominates a quartet (with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Herbie Lovelle) on six other tunes. Farmer's sound is lyrical even on the uptempo pieces and he is heard throughout in his early prime. Highlights include "Soft Shoe," "I'll Take Romance," "Autumn Nocturne" and an uptempo "Gone with the Wind." One should note that the programming differs from what is listed, with "Soft Shoe" (which should have been the opener) actually appearing fifth and the songs listed as appearing second through fifth moving up to first through fourth. Despite that flaw, the music is quite enjoyable and a must for 1950s bop collectors. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Soft Shoe 3:54
Art Farmer
2 Confab In Tempo 4:57
Art Farmer
3 I'll Take Romance 4:32
Oscar Hammerstein II / Ben Oakland
4 Wisteria 4:05
Art Farmer
5 Autumn Nocturne 4:59
Kim Gannon / Josef Myrow
6 I've Never Been In Love Before 3:49
Frank Loesser
7 I'll Walk Alone 3:55
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
8 Gone With The Wind 4:07
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
9 Alone Together 3:59
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
10 Pre Amp 3:35
Art Farmer
Credits :
Bass – Addison Farmer (tracks: 5 to 10), Percy Heath (tracks: 1 to 4)
Drums – Herbie Lovelle (tracks: 5 to 10), Kenny Clarke (tracks: 1 to 4)
Piano – Horace Silver (tracks: 1 to 4), Wynton Kelly (tracks: 5 to 10)
Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Rollins (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trumpet – Art Farmer