Instant Party

by Gene Harris

Overview

Instant Party is essentially a single-disc best-of compilation featuring some of the more uptempo highlights from pianist Gene Harris' long stay at the Concord Jazz label. Harris recorded for Concord from 1985 until 1999 (he died early in 2000), and his stay amounted to both a revival and a fruitful autumnal capstone to his long career. A fluid and soulful player, Harris brought a hint of the blues to everything he touched, and the selection here is no exception. From the light jazz-funk of the opener, "Old Funky Gene's," to the rapid and seemingly effortless piano runs of "Listen Here," which features the great Ray Brown on bass, Harris develops his own blue version of soul-jazz. Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine joins Harris and Brown on Brown's own "Uptown Sop," one of the clear highlights of the set. Other high points include the tight and controlled groove of Harris' rendition of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder" and a version of Bobbie Gentry's surprisingly flexible "Ode to Billie Joe." Instant Party works well as a quick and breezy introduction to this fine musician, but listeners looking for a little more balanced overview of this phase of his career should check out the two-disc The Best of the Concord Years. ~ Steve Leggett

Product Details

Release Date:	07/27/2004
Label:	Concord / Concord Jazz / Universal
UPC:	0013431224723
Rank:	108201

Tracks

1. Old Funky Gene's
2. Blues for Jezebel
3. Listen Here
4. C.C. Rider
5. Sidewinder
6. Down Home Blues
7. Uptown Sop
8. Ode to Billie Joe
9. Sweet Georgia Brown
10. Put It Where You Want It

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Gene Harris   Primary Artist,Piano
Gene Harris Trio   Primary Artist
Nikki Harris   Primary Artist
Stanley Turrentine   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Gene Harris Quartet   Primary Artist
Brother Jack McDuff   Primary Artist
Jack McDuff   Primary Artist,Organ (Hammond)
Paul Humphrey   Drums,Guest Artist
Red Holloway   Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Ernie Watts   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto)
Ray Brown   Guest Artist,Bass
Niki Haris   Vocals,Guest Artist
Mickey Roker   Drums
Paul Kreibich   Drums
Frank Potenza   Guitar
Ron Eschete   Guitar
Jeff Hamilton   Drums
Luther Hughes   Bass
Harold Jones   Drums

Technical Credits

Ray Brown   Composer
George Jackson   Composer
Kenneth Casey   Composer
Ben Bernie   Composer
Gene Harris   Composer
Joe Sample   Composer
Danielle Brancazio   Package Design
Nick Phillips   Compilation Producer
Lee Morgan   Composer
Maceo Pinkard   Composer
Eddie Harris   Composer
Bobbie Gentry   Composer
Seth Presant   Mastering
Gertrude Rainey   Composer
Abbey Anna   Art Direction
Kurt Sievert   Art Direction