Sal Salvador pays tributes to the jazz greats of his time - Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and others - but also serves things up at a level that's very much his own bag too! The album's got a spare, stripped-down groove that really suits Salvador's guitar well - giving Sal plenty of room to craft these round, warm lines that are full of color and tonal depth - often with a sense of rhythm that makes things groove, even when moving slowly. The group has just the right sort of balance to fit the mood that Sal's going for - with Eddie Costa on piano and vibes, Frank Dallas on bass, and Ronnie Free on drums. Titles include "Manteca", "Ruby My Dear", "Yardbird Suite", "Cool Eyes", "Taps Miller", and "Solos For Guitar".
This 2 CD set is comprised of the complete 1954, 1956 and 1957 Capitol and Bethlehem albums 'Kenton Jazz Presents Sal Salvador', 'Frivolous Sal', 'Shades Of Sal Salvador' 'Tribute To The Greats' & 'Sounds By Socolow' (1 session). Also included as bonus tracks is the complete session under the saxophonist Frank Socolow leadership, and featuring legendary westcoaster trombonist Eddie Bert in addition to the Salvador-Costa quartet.
How much the arranger's art can embellish the music of even a group as small as that on this record emerges quite clearly during these performances. Taken on their own, none of these soloists — with the possible exception of Eddie Costa — would sound particularly remarkable. Heard within the context of the piquant, colourful settings devised by Manny Albam, Bill Holman and Sal Salvador, their work takes on more impact and significance. Thirty-three-year-old Frank Socolow has worked with many big bands during his career, a fact that has sometimes obscured his merits as a soloist.
Reissue with the latest 2015 DSD remastering. Comes with liner notes. An excellent album of tunes with a cool Konitz-like sound – featuring the vastly under-discovered reed work of Lenny Hambro, with piano by Eddie Costa, and guitar by either Sal Salvador or Barry Galbraith. The tracks are short and angular – but have a particularly soulful groove in the mix, one that's really surprising, considering that the overall package makes you think the record would be some sleepy over-wrought major label jazz side. Swings like a mofo from a label like Storyville or Bethlehem – and with tracks that include "Comin Thru", "Blue Light", "I Love You Much Too Much", "Libation For Celebration", and "My Future Just Passed".