Alvin Red "Tyler" - Graciously (1987/2019)

This is the second of two late-'80s straight jazz dates by Alvin "Red" Tyler, better known for his years toiling in the city's R&B studios. Tyler savored the opportunity to do more than play short bursts, demonstrating his expansive skills on the disc's eight cuts. While the soulfulness remained in his tone, Tyler proved he could handle hard bop chord changes, build and complete ideas, and head a jazz combo. The cuts "Dreamsville," "Here's That Rainy Day," and "Like So Many Others" emphasize the jazz connection, but the R&B and blues base comes through on "Cutie Pie" and "Count 'Em." This is nicely played, at times above-average, jazz from a celebrated veteran getting to show another side of his musical personality.