In 1959, trombonist Slide Hampton was known mainly for the excellent arrangements he did for the Maynard Ferguson Band, so it was no surprise that he formed his octet band and began making a serious bid for recognition as a top jazz artist and arranger, recording his first album for the small label Strand. His impact was immediate and in 1960 Slide signed for Atlantic resulting in two studio albums, Sister Salvation and Somethin Sanctified, which were the octets first for the label.
Both of them are in this set and, as a bonus included here, a previously unreleased gem in a series of broadcast octet performances recorded live at Birdland in 1961. Soloists like Freddie Hubbard, George Coleman, Jay Cameron and the leader were featured, but its also worth noting that the octets personnel on the live dates differs at times from the studio recordings, including, among others, tenor saxophonist Walter Benton and trumpet player Willie Thomas.
Hampton summed up his overall approach simply. I tried to get an instrumentation which would be between all the other sizes and yet get a little of each of these sounds. These recordings show how well he succeeded and how exciting the band was, particularly heard live.
Tracklist
Total time: 148:38 min.
CD 1
01. Sister Salvation (Hampton) 6:13
02. Just Squeeze Me (Ellington-Gaines) 6:29
03. Hi Fly (Weston9 6:06
04. Asseveration (Soul Searching) (Hampton) 5:56
05. Conversation Piece (Gryce) 6:51
06. A Little Night Music (Hampton) 4:08
07. On the Street Where You Live (Lerner-Loewe) 4:59
08. The Thrill Is Gone (Brown-Henderson) 6:22
09. Ow! (Gillespie) 5:54
10. Milestones (Davis) 5:10
11. El Sino (Greenley) 5:41
12. Somethin' Sanctified (Hampton) 6:13
CD 2
01. Presentation by Symphony Sid / Theme
02. Straight Street (Coltrane) 7:50
03. El Sino (Greenle) 5:06
04. Sid and Hampton introduce the band members
05. Sister Salvation (Hampton) 5:07
06. Street of Dreams (Lewis-Young) 2:32
07. Theme 0:51
08. Jazz Corner (Hampton) 4:10
09. Slide talks 0:47
10. Stella by Starlight (Washington-Young) 8:30
11. 'Round About Midnight (Monk-Williams) 3:49
12. Red Top (Ammons) 4:07
13. Slide introduces the musicians
14. On the Street Where You Live (Lerner-Loewe) 6:06
15. Sophisticated Lady (Ellington) 6:51
16. Straight No Chaser (Monk) 6:15
17. Strollin' (Silver) 4:15
18. Somethin' Sanctified (Hampton) 5:2
Album details
Original sources:
CD 1, tracks #1-6 from the album "Sister Salvation" (Atlantic 1339)
CD 1, tracks #7-12 from the album "Somethin' Sanctified" (Atlantic PLP 803 S)
CD 2, unreleased live broadcast recorded at Birdland Club "The Jazz Corner of the World" New York City, 1961
Personnel on "Sister Salvation":
Freddie Hubbard, Bob Zottola, Ernie Royal (only on #2,4,5 & 6), Richard Williams (only on #1) (tp); Slide Hampton (tb, arr except #3 & 5); Bernard McKinney (euphonium), Bill Barber (tuba); George Coleman (ts, arr #5), Jay Cameron (bar); Nabil Knobby Totah (b), Pete La Roca (d). Billy Frazier (arr #3).
Recorded in New York City, on February 15, 1960
Personnel on "Somethin' Sanctified":
Richard Williams, Hobart Dotson (tp); Slide Hampton, Charles Greenlee (tb, bar-h); George Coleman (ts); Jay Cameron (bs & b-cl); Larry Ridley (b); Pete La Roca (d). Arrangements: Slide Hampton, except #11 by Charles Greenlee.
Recorded in New York City, on October 17, 1960
Personnel on CD 2:
Freddie Hubbard, Hobart Dootson, Richard Williams, Willie Thomas (tp); Slide Hampton, Charles Greenlee, Benny Jacobs-El (tb); Walter Benton, George Coleman (ts); Jay Cameron (bs); Larry Ridley, Eddie Kahn (b); Pete La Roca, Lex Humphries (d). Arrangements: Slide Hampton, except #11 by Charles Greenlee.
Recorded live at Birdland, New York City, on March 18 (#1-6), March 25 (#7-12), July 8 (#13-16), September 9 (#17-18), 1961
Original recordings on CD 1 produced by Nesuhi Ertegun
Recordings on CD 2: radio broadcast taped by Boris Rose
This compilation produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol
Stereo / Mono · 24-Bit Digitally RemasteredPress reviews
"Equally skilled as a trombonist and an arranger, Slide Hampton is featured leading three pianoless groups on The Slide Hampton Octet (FSR 674). The double-CD has two complete albums from 1960-61 with trumpeters Freddie Hubbard (at the beginning of his career) and Richard Williams, and tenor-saxophonist George Coleman among the key soloists along with Hampton. The colorful arrangements are the main star."
Scott Yanow -Los Angeles Jazz Scene (April, 2012)
