Roy Haynes - Love Letters (2002) [2005 SACD]

Originally released in Japan on producer Yasohachi Itoh's 88 label, Columbia has licensed several titles from the audiophile label, including this one from veteran hard bop/new thing drummer Roy Haynes. Love Letters gathers an all-star roster, including pianists Kenny Barron and David Kikoski, bassists Dave Holland and Christian McBride, tenor player Joshua Redman, and guitarist John Scofield for a thoroughly solid set of standards. Even as he approaches his eighth decade, Haynes continues to display the drive that has made him an in-demand timekeeper since his tenure with Charlie Parker and Bud Powell. It's evident throughout the entire album, from the rock-ist suggestions of Mongo Santamaria's "Afro Blue" to the poignant take on Horace Silver's "Que Pasa." All of the groupings have their shining moments, but Haynes with Holland and Scofield is a combination that demands to be documented further. ~AllMusic

Tracks:

01. The Best Thing for You (Irving Berlin)
02. That Old Feeling (Lew Brown, Sammy Fain)
03. Afro Blue (Mongo Santamaria)
04. Que Pasa? (Horace Silver)
05. How Deep Is the Ocean (Irving Berlin)
06. Love Letters (Edward Heyman, Victor Young)
07. My Shining Hour (Johnny Mercer)
08. Stompin’ at the Savoy (Benny Goodman, Edgar Sampson, Chick Webb)
09. Shades of Senegal 2 (Roy Haynes)

Personnel:

Roy Haynes (ds)
Kenny Barron (p)
Dave Holland (b)
David Kikoski (p)
Christian McBride (b)
Joshua Redman (ts)
John Scofield (g)