This is a fine example of how great original Contemporary titles often sound. The sound is so pleasing with great detail and bass which you would expect when Roy DuNann is involved.
Harold Land was of course a member of the legendary Brown/Roach group. I have not explored his dates as a leader in depth but I really dig this one and The Fox. He was a great tenor player with a beautiful tone and this session showcases this fact in a great way. I will try and find The Fox as well and any other great stuff on which he is present. Very happy to have acquired this title and I’m sure it will see plenty of time on the platter.
Trumpeter Rolf Ericson, a fellow Swede, is on this one as well which makes it extra special for me. I truly enjoy his style and I have plenty of Metronome EP’s with him. Great to hear him here with Land. I think they complement each other nicely. The other cats are Carl Perkins on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on double bass and Contemporary stalwart Frank Butler on drums.
The music, which was arranged by Elmo Hope and Land, is relaxed and cohesive and is highly enjoyable. The whole feel of the album is down to earth and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, just like the playing of Land himself.
The cover art features Land playing in front of the Watts Towers in Los Angeles.
Favorite picks are ”Nieta” which was penned by Elmo Hope, the lovely ballad ”Lydias Lament” penned by Land, named for his wife, and the slow paced ”Grooveyard”, a blues dripping piece penned by Carl Perkins (his last composition), who died just a few months after the recording of this album.
Highly recommended.