The Blues and the Abstract Truth

by Oliver Nelson

Overview

As Oliver Nelson is known primarily as a big band leader and arranger, he is lesser known as a saxophonist and organizer of small ensembles. Blues and the Abstract Truth is his triumph as a musician for the aspects of not only defining the sound of an era with his all-time classic "Stolen Moments," but on this recording, assembling one of the most potent modern jazz sextets ever. Lead trumpeter Freddie Hubbard is at his peak of performance, while alto saxophonists Nelson and Eric Dolphy (Nelson doubling on tenor) team to form an unlikely union that was simmered to perfection. Bill Evans (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Roy Haynes (drums) can do no wrong as a rhythm section. "Stolen Moments" really needs no comments, as its undisputable beauty shines through in a three-part horn harmony fronting Hubbard's lead melody. It's a thing of beauty that is more timeless as the years pass. The "Blues" aspect is best heard on "Yearnin'," a stylish, swinging, and swaying downhearted piece that is a bluesy as Evans would ever be. Both "Blues" and "Abstract Truth" combine for the darker "Teenie's Blues," a feature for Nelson and Dolphy's alto saxes, Dolphy assertive in stepping forth with his distinctive, angular, dramatic, fractured, brittle voice that marks him a maverick. Then there's "Hoedown," which has always been the black sheep of this collection with its country flavor and stereo separated upper and lower horn in snappy call-and-response barking. As surging and searing hard boppers respectively, "Cascades" and "Butch & Butch" again remind you of the era of the early '60s when this music was king, and why Hubbard was so revered as a young master of the idiom. A must buy for all jazz fans, and a Top Ten or Top Fifty favorite for many. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Product Details

Release Date:	07/19/2024
UPC:	8436563185717
Rank:	85817

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Oliver Nelson   Primary Artist,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Alto)
Bill Evans   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Piano
Roy Haynes   Guest Artist,Drums
Freddie Hubbard   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Eric Dolphy   Guest Artist,Sax (Alto),Flute
Paul Chambers   Guest Artist,Double Bass,Bass
George Barrow   Sax (Baritone)
Roy Hanes   Drums

Technical Credits

Joe Lebow   Liner Design
Aaron Copeland   Composer
Isabelle Wong   Package Design
Pete Turner   Cover Design
Hollis King   Art Direction
Audrey Nelson   Photography
Ellen Fitton   Mastering
Bill Levenson   Reissue Supervisor
Cameron Mizell   Production Coordination
Oliver Nelson   Recording Arranger,Liner Notes,Composer,Arranger
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer
Robert Flynn   Cover Design
Creed Taylor   Producer