The first ever comprehensive box-set of the greatest Jazz vibes-players in history - 18 original albums documenting the history of Jazz-vibes from Swing to Hard Bop and Featuring Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Ayers, Cal Tjader and more…
Like Eric Dolphy before him, Jackie McLean sought to create a kind of vanguard "chamber jazz" that still had the blues feel and – occasionally – the groove of hard bop, though with rounded, moodier edges. Destination Out! was the album on which he found it. Still working with Grachan Moncur III and Bobby Hutcherson – his direct spiritual connection to Dolphy – McLean changed his rhythm section by employing drummer Roy Haynes and bassist Larry Ridley. This combination proved a perfect balance of the four elements. The program is four tunes, three of which were written by Moncur.
This set matches the McCoy Tyner Trio (which includes bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Al Foster) with four different guests. Altoist Arthur Blythe and vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson fare best but both trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and guitarist John Abercrombie also have their strong moments. In addition to four Tyner compositions, there is one song apiece from McBee, Abercrombie and Hutcherson in addition to four jazz standards. This collection is a fine all-around showcase for the brilliant pianist even if no new ground is broken. ~ AllMusic
Grant Green's 1964 STREET OF DREAMS date with organ guru Larry Young is an entirely different affair than TALKIN' ABOUT, the session the pair recorded earlier that year. It features four lengthy meditations that find Green and Young (not to mention vibraphone viscount Bobby Hutcherson) unfurling thoughtful, low-key riffs that establish an autumnal, introspective feel, as opposed to the more hard-bop-tinged tracks on the previous album. Green may be known as a master of soul jazz, but STREET OF DREAMS proves he's got plenty more strings to his bow, and sounds oddly contemporary, as though it could have been released on a label like ECM some 20 years later.
This album is INCREDIBLE. The way Bobby Hutcherson, Grant Green and John Patton lock in on their lines is almost surreal. The selections groove, but they're also deep, and the the musicians seem to connect on a deeply spiritual level. - - This is NOT just another Jazz organ combo album. It takes a new direction - - the sound is modern and progressive… John Patton at times is earthy and bluesy and at other times, very off center and mesmerizing. Melodically the stuff he's doing is almost Coltrane-esque, however, John's style is to understate things, and play with your sense of melodic imagination. Its an interactive listen, but if you're not feeling deep, you can say, "What the heck !" and get up and dance and it'll be just as good. This is probably one of the most inspired sessions to come out of those studios.