Daddy Top Sergeant Miles Breeds Oliver Hunt

Although chronologically the last to be issued, this collection includes some of the best performances from the tapes which would produce the albums Cookin', Relaxin', Workin', and ultimately, Steamin'. A primary consideration of these fruitful sessions is the caliber of musicians – Miles Davis (trumpet), Red Garland (piano), John Coltrane (tenor sax), and Philly Joe Jones (drums) – who were basically doing their stage act in the studio…

As Oliver Nelson is known primarily as a big band leader and arranger, he is lesser known as a saxophonist and organizer of small ensembles. Blues and the Abstract Truth is his triumph as a musician for the aspects of not only defining the sound of an era with his all-time classic "Stolen Moments," but on this recording, assembling one of the most potent modern jazz sextets ever. Lead trumpeter Freddie Hubbard is at his peak of performance, while alto saxophonists Nelson and Eric Dolphy (Nelson doubling on tenor) team to form an unlikely union that was simmered to perfection. Bill Evans (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Roy Haynes (drums) can do no wrong as a rhythm section. "Stolen Moments" really needs no comments, as its undisputable beauty shines through in a three-part horn harmony fronting Hubbard's lead melody…

Recorded in the early part of 1994, this is a richly produced album. Big Daddy Kinsey’s voice, while not a dominating force on this outing, benefits from a stellar production that includes an all-star cast of supporting musicians. Audio fidelity is top notch throughout. The album begins with a mid-tempo, funky take on Slim Harpo’s hit "Tippin’ On In", followed with a fine, slow Delta styled ensemble with John Primer on acoustic guitar; son Donald contributing a nice slide solo. The disc program continues on with a skillful mixture of rhythmic beats and varied song selections; Johnny B. Gayden’s excellent bass lines and tempos pacing the selections. The program is punctuated midway through the disc with Koko Taylor dueting with Big Daddy on "Nothing's Too Good for My Baby"; and Carey Bell’s adept harp playing on a half a dozen tracks…