CANNONBALL ADDERLEY: CANNONBALL AND EIGHT GIANTS [ESP 1974] EN GIRONA

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY: CANNONBALL AND EIGHT GIANTS [ESP 1974] LPx2 CANNONBALL ADDERLEY: CANNONBALL AND EIGHT GIANTS [ESP 1974] LPx2 Cannonball Adderley   "Cannonball And Eight Giants"  LPx2 (Milestone)   1974  made in Spain cat. num.  MM.40-068/69 S #jazz previously released as "Portait Of Cannonball" and "Things Are Getting Better" on Riverside label. A Little Taste 4:34 Straight Life 5:30 Minority (Take 2) 7:24 Minority (Take 3) 7:05 Nardis 5:30 Blue Funk 5:30 People Will Say We're In Love 9:38 Blues Oriental 4:55 A Few Previously Unissued Words From Cannonball And Then... 0:47 Things Are Getting Better 7:09 Serves Me Right 4:44 Groovin' High 5:17 The Sidewalks Of New York 6:56 Sounds For Sid 6:24 Just One Of Those Things 6:44   "Portait Of Cannonball"   This fine Riverside debut by  Adderley  was cut just a few months after the alto saxophonist had contributed to  Miles Davis ' stellar  Milestones  release. Joining  Adderley  for the six tracks here are fellow  Davis  alumni  Philly Joe Jones  on drums and  Bill Evans  on piano. These three are augmented by the wonderful and often-underrated  Blue Mitchell  on trumpet and the equally illustrious  Sam Jones  on bass. Everyone is in top form on a varied set that takes in two  Adderley  originals (the fine ballad "Straight Life" and "A Little Taste"), a classic  Gigi Gryce  number ("Minority"), and  Miles ' oft-covered "Nardis." Filling out the program, we have a rare  Sam Jones -penned cut, "Blue Funk," and a lone standard in the  Rogers & Hammerstein  chestnut from Oklahoma, "People Will Say We're in Love." One of the highlights from  Adderley 's hard bop prime. "Things Are Getting Better" This title provides ample evidence why alto  Cannonball Adderley  is considered one of the masters of his craft. Here he joins forces with  Modern Jazz Quartet  co-founder  Milt Jackson  on vibes to create a variety of sonic atmospheres. They are backed by the all-star ensemble of  Wynton Kelly  on piano,  Percy Heath  on bass, and the one and only  Art Blakey  on drums. The moody "Blues Oriental" opens the set with  Jackson  immediately diving in with his trademark fluid runs and shimmering intonation.  Adderley  counters with a light and lively line that weaves between the rhythm section. The optimistic "Things Are Getting Better" is a good-natured romp as the co-leads trade and cajole each other into some downright rollicking exchanges. This directly contrasts with the sultry "Serves Me Right," which allows the combo members to demonstrate their collective musical malleability. The interaction between  Adderley  and  Jackson  sparkles as they entwine their respective playing with an uncanny singularity of spirit. The cover of  Dizzy Gillespie 's "Groovin' High" contains another spirited performance with some thoroughly engaging improvisation, especially during  Adderley 's voracious solos. "Sidewalks of New York" bops freely as  Jackson  unleashes some sublime licks against a hearty and equally boisterous sax.  Adderley 's "Sounds for Sid" demonstrates his uncanny ability to swing with a strong R&B vibe. With drop-dead timing and profound instrumental chops, this cut is undoubtedly one of the best from  Adderley 's earliest canon. The album concludes with a jumping reading of  Cole Porter 's "Just One of Those Things." While  Wynton Kelly  has been uniformly solid, his interjections stand out here as he bridges and undergirds the two as they banter with flair and aplomb. This set can be recommended without hesitation to all manner of jazz enthusiast, as it quite literally offers something for every taste. [Some reissues include two bonus tracks supplementing the original seven-song running order, alternate takes of "Serves Me Right" and "Sidewalks of New York."]