Release date: 08-04-2002 (originally released in 1955)

2002 German Speakers Corner limited edition 10-track LP pressed on 180gram VIRGIN VINYL, originally released in 1955 -It was Clark Terry’s (or Mr. Mumbles, as he is called today) first record, but having played in the Count Basie Band he knew he couldn’t go wrong with Quincy Jones’s compositions and arrangements. His highly individual improvisational style brings forth melodies which are lent a warm, soft touch and appear to float on top of a wonderful carpet of sound - Sealed and stickered picture sleeve.

Tracks:
01. Swahili 
02. Double Play 
03. Slow Boat 
04. Co-op 
05. Kitten 
06. The Countess 
07. Tuma 
08. Chuckles 

European jazz fans only knew this recording as an EP; the first Swedish re-release of the original LP was made of inferior quality vinyl and had a flimsy, thin cover; in 1988 the record was released on the Japanese market and only in a minute quantity. But now, at long last, the recording can be heard in its full glory, a feast for the ears!
It was Clark Terry’s (or Mr. Mumbles, as he is called today) first record, but having played in the Count Basie Band he knew he couldn’t go wrong with Quincy Jones’s compositions and arrangements. His highly individual improvisational style brings forth melodies which are lent a warm, soft touch and appear to float on top of a wonderful carpet of sound. But this comes as no surprise when one hears the names of the musicians involved, such as Jimmy Cleveland and Cecil Payne, and a rhythm group which includes Horace Silver and Art Blakey. All the players are given ample opportunity to show their prowess in long solos, proving that they are not just excellent interpreters of written music but that each one is capable of developing and accentuating his own ideas ranging from hard bop to mainstream. Special mention must be made of Oscar Pettiford’s improvisations on the cello – in particular in “Swahili�. Way back in 1955, Mister O.P. demonstrated that the cello can certainly hold its own as a solo instrument in jazz.
This LP was the beginning of Clark Terry’s solo career which has continued unbroken to this day. The importance of this re-release – a real milestone in the history of jazz and now available in top quality – becomes clear from the moment the needle touches the groove.

Clark Terry (tp); Jimmy Cleveland (tb); Cecil Payne (bs); Horace Silver (p); Wendell Marshall (b); Oscar Pettiford (b,cello); Art Blakey (dr); Quincy Jones (arr)

Recording: January 1955 in New York City