BOOKER ERVIN — Structurally Sound (1966-2001) Blue Note Connoisseur Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mixing the dusky romanticism of Dexter Gordon and the progressive tonal ideology of John Coltrane, Booker Ervin is often filed under "A" for amalgam alongside other overlooked tenor masters such as Tina Brooks and Hank Mobley. Structurally Sound is perhaps not Ervin's most provocative album, but a solid and tasty endeavor featuring the suspended chord sounds popularized by McCoy Tyner during the late '60s. Here, the chords come via the brilliant pianist John Hicks, who opens the album with funky high-end triplet figures on Randy Weston's "Berkshire Blues." Joining in is a well-selected roster of musicians, many of whom were also overshadowed by their more well-known contemporaries, including Charles Tolliver on trumpet, Red Mitchell on bass, and Lenny McBrowne on drums. Tolliver contributes the original composition "Franess," a Wayne Shorter-influenced affair that features his fat and burnished tone. They also cover Oliver Nelson's blissful standard "Stolen Moments" to good effect. Originally ending with an athletic up-tempo version of "Take the 'A' Train," the Blue Note Connoisseur Series reissue includes a sparkling "Shiny Stockings," featuring an especially inspired chorus by Ervin. An oddball version of "White Christmas" also makes it onto the disc, as do alternate takes of "Franess" and "Deep Night." Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1     Berkshire Blues 5:30
Randy Weston
2     Dancing in the Dark 4:58
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
3     Stolen Moments 4:59
Oliver Nelson
4     Franess 5:08
Charles Tolliver
5     Boo's Blues 5:33
Booker Ervin
6     You're My Everything 4:46
Mort Dixon / Harry Warren / Joe Young
7     Deep Night 4:58
Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée
8     Take the "A" Train 3:43
Billy Strayhorn
9     Shiny Stockings 4:48
Frank Foster
10     White Christmas 4:27
Irving Berlin
11     Franess 5:13
Charles Tolliver
12     Deep Night 7:15
Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Lenny McBrowne
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Booker Ervin
Trumpet – Charles Tolliver