Vi Redd is best known as a
Charlie Parker-influenced alto saxophonist, though she also sings on the 1962
Bird Call studio sessions. She leads an excellent band that includes pianist
Russ Freeman, either
Leroy Vinnegar or
Bob Whitlock on bass, guitarist
Herb Ellis, trumpeter
Carmell Jones, vibraphonist
Roy Ayers (before his defection to lightweight smooth jazz), and her then-husband,
Richie Goldberg, on drums.
Redd is more impressive as a player than a singer. She is at her best on standards like "All the Things You Are" and "Old Folks." It's little surprise that producer
Leonard Feather induced her to record a couple of his mediocre songs (as well as updating the lyrics to "Anthropology" with little success), as he was notorious for pushing his work on artists, particularly when he was in charge of the date. Originally released by United Artists, this album was briefly available as a Solid State LP before it once again lapsed from print. Either version should be considered difficult to find. ~ Ken Dryden