Coleman Hawkins - The Hawk Swings Vol. 1 (Spanish Fresh Sound Vinyl LP)

Vinyl: EX
Sleeve: EX

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Coleman Hawkins - The Hawk Swings Vol. 1 Vinyl LP - Spanish Fresh Sound Reissue

The father of the tenor saxophone in fine swinging form, The Hawk Swings Vol. 1 captures Coleman Hawkins leading a stellar sextet through 1960 New York City sessions originally issued on the Crown label. This 1989 Spanish reissue on Fresh Sound Records presents five tracks that showcase Hawkins' enduring power and sophistication alongside an exceptional cast including trumpeter Thad Jones, the versatile Eddie Costa on piano and vibraphone, pianist Nat Pierce, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Osie Johnson.

By 1960, Hawkins had been a dominant force in jazz for over three decades, yet his playing remained vital and forward-thinking. His huge tone, harmonic intelligence, and rhythmic drive are fully evident throughout these sessions. The frontline pairing of Hawkins' tenor with Thad Jones' trumpet creates a classic hard-bop sound, with Jones' crisp, modern trumpet style providing an ideal counterpoint to Hawkins' robust saxophone approach.

The five compositions showcase the band's versatility within the swing idiom. "Cross Town", "Shadows", and "Cloudy" demonstrate the group's ability to navigate different moods and tempos, while "Stake Out" and "Almost Dow" round out a programme that balances head-bobbing swing with more contemplative moments. Eddie Costa's contributions are particularly noteworthy, alternating between piano and vibraphone with equal facility, adding both harmonic depth and melodic colour.

What distinguishes these sessions is the loose, blowing session atmosphere. This isn't overly arranged or produced, rather it's straight-ahead jazz performed by master musicians who understand swing from the inside out. The rhythm section of Duvivier and Johnson provides rock-solid support, allowing Hawkins and Jones to stretch out comfortably.

This Spanish Fresh Sound pressing makes these somewhat obscure Crown label recordings accessible to collectors. Fresh Sound Records has a strong reputation for rescuing and reissuing worthy jazz sessions that might otherwise remain difficult to find.