Gene Ammons - Gene Ammons All Stars. Complete Recordings with Mal Waldron, Pepper Adams & Art Taylor (2013)

The three albums included in this set come from two straightforward blowing sessions played by two outstanding all-star groups of jazzmen, under the leadership of muscular tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons. The organizing force behind these sessions was Mal Waldron, responsible for seven originals and the unpretentious charts on both dates simple, uncomplicated vehicles on which the players happily take flight.

On Blue Gene the horns complement each other in terms of style and tonal balance, with trumpeter Idrees Sulieman in bitingly good form and Pepper Adams contributing some tearaway baritone solos. The Waldron-Watkins-Taylor rhythm section, with Ray Barretto on congas, is strong and reliable. Full of soul, both Groove Blues and The Big Sound come from the same date, with much good blowing by Adams, Jerome Richardson adding his customary unhurried taste on flute, a pungent Paul Quinichette on tenor, and a self-confidently gutsy John Coltrane playing alto in his tenor style. Waldron s excellent and unobtrusive comping and soloing, propelled by Joyner and Taylor s rhythm work, are other positives. And Ammons is as strong and sure of himself as ever, giving pleasure with his uncluttered, heated playing and sure sense of swing.