Don Patterson - Legends of Acid Jazz, Vol. 2: Just Friends (1999)

Although this is a fine collection highlighting three unjustly overlooked players of the '60s, it doesn't really rate inclusion in Prestige's long-running Legends of Acid Jazz series. This isn't acid jazz, or even '60s-style soul-jazz, but straight-ahead hard bop. (The one exception is Don Patterson's Hammond organ-led take on a very faithful and brief rendition of the Drifters' pop hit "Under the Boardwalk," possibly an attempt at Ramsey Lewis-style crossover success.) The two tenors, the barrel-toned Houston Person and the much more aggressive, R&B-influenced honker Booker Ervin, are in control of this session, trading soloists with the intensity of an old-fashioned cutting contest. Patterson rarely takes the spotlight, but when he does, his warm, churchy tones are an inspired contrast to the hard bop blowing of the other two principals. A surprising highlight is an 11-minute take on that hoary old chestnut "Sentimental Journey," which features some simply outstanding solos by all three principals.


Tracks:

01. Red Top 10:13
02. Freddie Tooks Jr. 5:38
03. Last Train From Overbook 3:55
04. Embraceable You 9:21
05. Sandu 4:43
06. Sister Ruth 4:53
07. Donald Duck 5:45
08. Rosetta 8:00
09. Under The Boardwalk 3:00
10. Sentimental Journey 10:58
11. Theme For Dee 6:33
12. Just Friends 5:52

Personnel:

Organ – Don Patterson
Drums – Billy James
Guitar – Pat Martino (tracks: 1 to 5)
Tenor Saxophone – Booker Ervin (tracks: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12),
Houston Person (tracks: 1 to 5)