Ted Curson - The New Thing & The Blue Thing (1965) [2012 Japan 24-bit Remaster] mp3

Few musicians have gotten as much continued recognition from one sideman appearance as Curson has from his participation on the stupendous Mingus Presents Mingus record. Even as the weak link in that superhuman quartet, he played some great jazz. His post-Mingus career was on a more mortal level, but the recordings he made in groups featuring tenorman Bill Barron are well worth checking out.

The New Thing and the Blue Thing is the best-known of these. Curson’s soaring lines and brilliant trumpet sound are well-matched by Barron, who was at the top of his form on this date. Neither was really an avantgardist by 1965 standards, but both were interesting modern voices whose best work came when they were pushing the limits. The sidemen don’t stand out particularly, but there is some good writing, like the slightly Ornettish “Reava’s Waltz” or the interesting “Nublu,” and the principal soloists are consistently engaging throughout.


Tracks:

01. Straight Ice
02. Star Eyes
03. Ted's Tempo
04. Nublu
05. Reava's Waltz
06. Elephant Walk

Personnel:

Ted Curson (trumpet)
Bill Barron (tenor saxophone)
Georges Arvanitas (piano)
Herb Bushler (bass)
Dick Berk (drums)