Eric Alexander [Straight Up]
This is Eric Alexander's debut as a leader, he was 24 years old, fairly young to cut a record as a leader, very much in the tradition of the big fat Tenor Sax players Dexter Gordon and George Coleman, but maybe harder, he has some fine musicians to work with on this session.
I saw this disc in a record shop, and bought it because it looked good, i'm glad i did, this is a great disc, full of invention, and varied too, i have tried some of Alexander's later discs, and i've been disappointed, one of the things that make this disc is a success is having Harold Mabern on board, not just as a Pianist, but as a mentor and teacher as well, and Mabern stamps his thoughts all over the album, he really can play with fire.
I was really impressed with the last track, 'Love Is A Many Splendored Thing', it's turned into a bossa nova tune, it swings wonderfully from side to side, Mabern's playing is superb, he takes the first solo after the theme [1:11], but even when Trumpeter Jim Rotondi [2:34], and Eric Alexander [3:55], take their solos, Mabern keeps stamping out the chords all over their solos, he's the engine room of this outfit, the reprise of the theme [7:15] is a glorious moment, what a great tune it is, i've just listened to Andy Williams sing it on YouTube, it's a tender love song too, but i like the rhythms that Alexander & Co bring to this cut, fantastic.
Here's Eric playing some live Jazz, and doing an interview on YouTube.
