One of the most successful Japanese piano trio recordings of the 70s -- a super-session performed by a a trio of Americans that includes Joe Sample on acoustic piano, Ray Brown on bass, and Shelly Manne on drums! Given that Sample's best known during the era for his electric keys with the Crusaders (and on countless studio sessions), it's a real treat to hear him tickle the ivories in an acoustic way -- and a genuine surprise to hear how strong his work is in such a format.
Joe manages to swing the tunes with plenty of creative improvisation, but also keeps a strong focus on the groove too -- making for an album that's got some of the rhythmic flourishes of the best work of the Oscar Peterson trio in later years, but with some of the added freedoms of the Japanese scene and a tight swinging sound that's very much in the soul jazz tradition of the LA scene that spawned all three players.
Personnel:
Joe Sample - Piano
Ray Brown - Bass
Shelly Manne - Drums
Track listing:
1 Yearnin'
2 On Green Dolphin Street
3 Satin Doll
4 Mañha de Carnaval
5 'Round About Midnight
6 Funky Blues
Vinyl rip in 24-bit/96kHz | FLAC | East Wind 10001 Nippon Phonogram Tokyo Direct-to-disc recording
Joe Sample, Ray Brown, Shelly Manne - The Three (1975)
ReplyDeleteThis album is a true delight! Some very enjoyable, straight-ahead jazz.
It reminds me of the work Sample was doing with the Jazz Crusaders when they were recording for Pacific Jazz back in the early 60s.
Very nice!
You have no idea how pleased and excited I am to have this recording electronically transcibed. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI bought an original copy in 1977 when I was 17. I have been a Crusaders and Joe Sample fan forever since. I loved this album too much and wore it out! Literally, I did.
For those of you who may not know, this is a special edition Direct To Vinyl Master reocording. No mixing or master tapes were ever produced let alone preserved. Dolby Sound enhancement was in its infancy when this ablum was produced. The sound pickup mike signals were fed directly from the mixing board to a master vinyl cutting device. The master pressing discs were made from the two Direct To Vinyl Masters and then the production vinyls were pressed from these masters. No one in America was doing this. Only the Japanese. That's why it was recorded there.
I once talked with Joe at The Baked Potato in Universal City, CA, and he said this is probably one his most satisfying sessions of his life.
I have to agree. It's amazing you made this available. Thank you so much!
would some kind soul please repost this amazing album? Thank you kindly!
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