The Three Sounds & The Oliver Nelson Orchestra - Coldwater Flat (1968) [2015 SHM-CD Blue Note 24-192 Remaster] CD-Rip

A brilliant pairing of the Three Sounds trio with the larger arrangements of reedman Oliver Nelson – easily one of the most soulful bandleaders of the 60s, and a talent who really helps open up the trio's groove! The piano of Gene Harris is nice and sharp – played with a soulful sock on both sides of the keyboard – and soaring out over these full charts from Nelson that really sparkle with great touches from players like Plas Johnson on tenor, Lou Blackburn on trombone, Bobby Bryant on trumpet, and both Anthony Ortega and Frank Strozier on alto.

The record's really one of our favorites by this great Blue Note group – and is a perfect bridge between their early trio sides and their later funky records! Titles include "Last Train To Clarksville", "Do Do Do", "Star Trek", "Lonely Bottles", "Grass Is Greener", and the groovy "Coldwater Flat".

Live at the Lighthouse captured the Three Sounds at their jazziest, but Coldwater Flat, the first studio session pianist Gene Harris and bassist Andrew Simpkins recorded with new drummer Donald Bailey, takes a different path. For this date, the group decided to emphasize its pop side, recording the record with the lush Oliver Nelson Orchestra and choosing to cover such pop hits as "The Look of Love" and "Last Train to Clarksville." The closing number, "Star Trek," is actually an original by Harris, unrelated to the TV show. One of the primary attractions of the Three Sounds' sound was its simplicity and their ability to find so much variation within the trio format. That magic is somewhat lost with the orchestra, which tends to overwhelm the trio. More than anything, that is what prevents Coldwater Flat from ranking among the group's finest efforts, but the glossy production has its appealing moments as well, and the record does function well as pleasant background music, even if it veers too close to easy listening to be true jazz.


Tracks:

01 - Lonely Bottles
02 - The Look Of Love
03 - Georgia
04 - Grass Is Greener
05 - Coldwater Flat
06 - Last Train To Clarksville
07 - My Romance
08 - I Remember Bird
09 - Do Do Do (What Now Is Next)
10 - Star Trek

Personnel:

The Three Sounds:
Gene Harris - piano, organ
Andrew Simpkins - bass
Donald Bailey - drums

Oliver Nelson - arranger
Bobby Bryant, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Freddy Hill, Melvin Moore - trumpet
Lou Blackburn, Milt Bernhart, Billy Byers, Pete Myers - trombone
Ernie Tack - bass trombone
Anthony Ortega, Frank Strozier - alto saxophone
Plus Johnson, Jay Migliori, Tom Scott - tenor saxophone
Bill Green - baritone saxophone
Lou Singer - timpani
Ken Watson - percussion