Gene Ammons - The Gene Ammons Story: Gentle Jug (2001)

This single CD reissues the two-LP set of the same name. Included are two sessions originally cut for Prestige's subsidiary Moodsville (Nice an' Cool and The Soulful Mood of Gene Ammons), which are purposely relaxed and strictly at ballad tempos. Fortunately, Ammons (who had a distinctive, huge tone) was long a master at interpreting ballads, and although these performances do not quite reach the heights of his greatest recordings, the lyrical music is quite enjoyable. Accompanied by either Richard Wyands or Patti Bown on piano, Doug Watkins or George Duvivier on bass, and J.C. Heard or Ed Shaughnessy on drums, Ammons is tasteful and creative in a subtle way throughout these successful dates. -- Scott Yanow