The Gene Harris Quartet - Listen Here! (1989) [2003 SACD]

Very melodic jazz, with modern improvisations of old standards & recent compositions. Gene Harris is solid on keyboards, & the rest of the quartet are firmly grounded in traditional jazz styles, yet not afraid to add a few twists. Some very swinging stuff, & some very sweet ballads as well.

Listen Here! is considered a soul jazz classic. Gene Harris led 1 of the finest soul jazz bands the ‘Three Sounds’ in the 1960s & ‘70s before his retirement to Idaho. Before long, Ray Brown came calling & beckoned Harris out of retirement to perform on Milt Jackson’s Soul Route . Although often associated with the blues, only 1 of the 10 selections on this quartet set by pianist Gene Harris is technically a blues.
A 2nd reason for this recording to be a classic is that it employs Harris’ greatest quartet. Ray Brown, Jeff Hamilton, & Ron Eschete were all old Concord hands with Harris when these recordings were made. Regarding Ray Brown, he & Harris appeared on a number of each of their respective recordings to the point that the listener was not always sure who was leader. The result, to our great fortune, was that the music was always performed at the highest level. It makes this re-release a celebration.
After rigorous touring & recording as a member of the Ray Brown Trio, & on the heels of a Grammy nomination for his own acclaimed big band recording Tribute to Count Basie, pianist Gene Harris entered the studio in 1989 to lead this tour de force quartet session. Adding guitarist Ron Eschete to the already awe-inspiring lineup of the working Ray Brown Trio unit (Brown, Harris & drummer Jeff Hamilton), Gene Harris instantly found the quartet to be the perfect configuration in which to communicate his one-of-a-kind jazz piano artistry. In the 1st of what would be a whole series of inspired & influential Gene Harris Quartet recordings on the Concord Jazz label, Listen Here is quintessential Gene Harris.

Tracks:

01. This Masquerade 06:26
02. Don't Be That Way 03:55
03. I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling 06:43
04. Listen Here 05:06
05. This Can't Be Love 03:53
06. To You 05:41
07. Blues for Jezebel 05:12
08. Sweet and Lovely 05:59
09. Lullabye 05:53
10. Song is Ended 05:02

Personnel:

Gene Harris - piano
Ron Eschete - guitar
Ray Brown - bass
Jeff Hamilton - drums