J.J. Johnson
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In 1997 Pablo released a two-disc package of recordings taken from a 1977 Japanese concert tour on which trombonist J.J. Johnson and trumpeter Nat Adderley co-led a quintet that also included keyboardist Billy Childs, bassist Tony Dumas, and drummer Kevin Johnson (J.J.'s son). That album was titled Yokohama Concert, and this one pulls together eight performances that were not included in that one. It is not a perfect album by any means, but it does offer music of significant value. The opening performance of Dizzy Gillespie's "Blue 'n' Boogie" starts out a bit flabby, the pianist wandering away from the bass and drums in a way that undermines the group's groove, but by the end of the tune's nine minutes the band has gelled and the soloists are wailing admirably. The remainder of the program is marred by too much cheesy synthesizer and a completely uninspired arrangement (and performance) of the theme from M.A.S.H.. But there is also a fine, strutting rendition of the adopted jazz classic "Walkin'" (which features some tasteful electric piano) and an equally powerful take on Johnson's own "Mohawk," a blues-based jazz waltz. Not essential, but far from worthless. Rick Anderson, All Music Guide Tracks:
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