Harold Land - Take Aim (1960) [2012 BNLA Series 24-bit Remaster] CD-Rip

Originally recorded in 1960 for Blue Note but not released until 1980, Take Aim, like Harold Land himself, has undeservedly fallen through the cracks. Most famous for his association with the Clifford Brown/Max Roach quintet of the '50s, Land is another unheralded West Coast giant who made a name for himself out here in California, but was under the radar of the jazz elitists. Take Aim, featuring an obscure group of musicians, is a pleasant surprise, and should be a welcome refresher for anyone looking for music similar to the tenorist's earlier and more famous exploits.

Take Aim has all of the features of classic hard bop: tight ensemble work, creative and hard-driving solos, and crisp rhythm work. It makes you wonder where Leon Pettis has been all these years. At times, the drummer sounds like thunder from on high as he pushes this band. Martin Banks is articulate and has that Brownie quality in his trumpet solos. Of course, Land, with an immediately identifiable rough yet light sound, is the epitome of hard bop. His music sounds as fresh today as the moment it was recorded over forty years ago.

Tracks:

01 - As You Like It
02 - Take Aim
03 - Land of Peace
04 - Reflections
05 - Blue Nellie
06 - You're My Thrill

Personnel:

Martin Banks - trumpet
Harold Land - tenor saxophone
Amos Trice - piano
Clarence Jones - bass
Leon Pettis - drums