An excellent companion to
Classics
'
1949-1950
Bud Powell
title, this roundup of the
bop
pianist's early post-war sides gets top overview honors for its better balanced share of combo and trio sides. The first half is mostly taken up by an incredible 1946 session featuring
Fats Navarro
,
Sonny Stitt
Kenny Dorham
, and
Kenny Clarke
, with highlights including the
Navarro
originals
"Webb City,"
"Fat Boy,"
and
"Everything's Cool."
For
Powell
fanatics, though, the eight trio sides will be the real attraction. Backed by first-tier boppers
Max Roach
Curly Russell
is at his fleet and innovative best on a mix of his own work (
"Bud's Bubble"
), some
Monk
(
"Off Minor"
), and a handful of choice covers (
"I'll Remember April,"
"I Should Care"
). A taste of possibly the most irrepressible and sophisticated
on wax. ~ Stephen Cook