Clifford Brown And Max Roach - At Basin Street (Japanese EmArcy Vinyl LP)

One of the most celebrated groups in jazz history captured at their peak, the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet's At Basin Street stands as a landmark recording of 1950s hard bop. This 1974 Japanese mono pressing on EmArcy, manufactured by Nippon Phonogram, preserves a tragically brief but brilliant moment when five exceptional musicians created music of enduring power and grace.

The quintet's lineup reads like a hall of fame roster: Clifford Brown on trumpet, already recognised as one of the instrument's greatest voices before his death at just 25; Max Roach, the drummer who redefined what was possible on his instrument; Sonny Rollins on tenor saxophone, in the midst of becoming jazz's most formidable improviser; pianist Richie Powell, brother of Bud Powell and a talent in his own right; and bassist George Morrow, providing solid foundation throughout.

The seven tracks showcase the group's remarkable range. Standards like "What Is This Thing Called Love?" and "I'll Remember April" receive definitive treatments, with Brown's luminous trumpet tone and flawless technique matched by Rollins' muscular tenor work. The ballad "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" highlights Brown's gift for melody and his ability to invest even pop material with genuine feeling. Original compositions including Powell's "Powell's Prances" and Roach's "Time" demonstrate the group's compositional ambitions and their ability to swing relentlessly while maintaining musical sophistication.

Tragically, both Clifford Brown and Richie Powell would die in a car accident just months after these recordings, making this album not just a musical triumph but a poignant document of what was lost. This Japanese mono pressing captures the warmth and presence of the original recordings with excellent fidelity.

Vinyl: EX
Sleeve: EX
Obi: None

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