Nat Adderley and his quintet (with altoist
Vincent Herring, pianist
Rob Bargad, bassist
Walter Booker and drummer
Jimmy Cobb) are heard on this double-CD in particularly fine form playing eight lengthy selections; all but "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" are over nine minutes long.
Herring often takes solo honors, the rhythm section (which includes two survivors from the
Cannonball Adderley days plus young pianist
Bargad) is excellent and
Nat's chops are in better than usual shape. The music overall is very much in the tradition of
Cannonball's quintet. But actually the main reason to acquire this set is for
Nat's storytelling; there are 38 minutes of talking in addition to the 84 minutes of music.
Nat's monologues between songs have been left intact and he talks about the origin of the title of
Sam Jones' "Unit Seven," the reason why "Work Song" is his favortite tune and some other interesting tales.
Adderley (who competes well with his late brother
Cannonball at contributing intelligent commentary) also is heard on the closing "Jazzspeak" (which clocks in at 13:44) remembering a humorous but important lesson that he learned from
Cannonball. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow