That’s It
Candid, 2022
8/10
Undoubtedly one of the greatest saxophone players of his generation, Booker Ervin may have recorded many albums with Charles Mingus, but he also penned 17 on his own, too, and this 3rd one as band leader brings us both originals and standards in his inimitable delivery.
“Mojo” starts the listen with Ervin’s bright brass alongside the frisky drumming from Al Harewood and Horace Parlan’s graceful piano, and “Uranus” follows with an intimate spirit, which benefits much from the warm piano to complement the soulful sax.
Halfway through, the lively energy of the melodic “Poinciana” makes this one of the best, while “Speak Low” moves even swifter, and showcases George Tucker’s lively bass acrobatics.
Moving towards the end, “Booker’s Blues” focuses on playful bass plucking before Ervin’s booming sax enters the emotive climate, and “Boo” exits the listen with an infectious and dynamic meshing of the brass, drums, keys and bass in a timeless jazz finish.
Ervin passed away in 1970 at the age of 39, but he left behind an excellent body of work that is still influencing artists today. This reissue is mastered and cut directly from the original tapes by Bernie Grundman, and the LP includes liner notes from Nat Hentoff, who actually produced the album and gives us insight into that experience.
Travels well with: Pee Wee Russell & Coleman Hawkins- Jazz Reunion; Charles Mingus- Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus