Kenny Burrell – Kenny Burrell

Detroit connections in a New Jersey studio

Four of the five musicians on this recording came from Detroit: Kenny Burrell, Tommy Flanagan, Doug Watkins and Elvin Jones. Burrell and Flanagan moved to New York together in 1956. When they recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s Hackensack studio on 1 February 1957, their connection already extended beyond their new surroundings. Baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne completes the quintet.

Bob Weinstock produced the session for Prestige. Guitar, piano, bass and drums meet the lower voice of the baritone saxophone, giving the group a distinctive combination of instrumental roles. It is an appealing point of entry into Burrell’s early recording career, with familiar colleagues alongside a different kind of horn partner.

Five selections with different roots

“Don’t Cry Baby” and “Drum Boogie” occupy the first side. The second contains Bud Powell’s “Strictly Confidential”, Cole Porter’s “All of You” and Burrell’s own “Perception”. Older song material, a bebop composer and the leader’s writing share the programme. Each performance has room to develop beyond an initial statement of its melody.

Payne sits out “All of You”. That change offers a useful listening comparison: what happens when the guitar works without a horn alongside it? Flanagan’s piano remains both an accompanist and an independent voice. The smaller line-up within the album lets you follow the distribution of responsibilities without needing to compare two unrelated sessions.

The album that also became Blue Moods

In 1964, the same music reappeared as Blue Moods. The 1982 OJC edition restored the original title and artwork. Reid Miles designed the original sleeve, making this one of his contributions to Prestige alongside the Blue Note work with which he is more often associated.

There is another reason to keep the label in mind: Burrell also recorded a different self-titled album for Blue Note. The Prestige origin and the five selections listed here identify this recording. “Perception” closes the programme with Burrell’s own composition, bringing the focus back to the guitarist as a writer as well as a player.

The Craft OJC pressing

Craft’s number CR00861 corresponds to the shop’s ACONC 861. This is a 180-gram LP playing at 33⅓ RPM, pressed at RTI and packaged in a Stoughton tip-on jacket with obi. Craft identifies Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio for the all-analogue cut from the original tapes. The recording is the 1957 Prestige album.

Michael 45 keeps the record in Germany and dispatches it from Hilden, so European customers need not organise a personal US import or wait for customs clearance.

More by Kenny Burrell: Bluesey Burrell · Guitar Forms

Musicians

Documented selection of participating musicians. Personnel may vary by track; this list does not claim to be complete.