Ike Quebec Swing Seven - Tenor Sax: Topsy (1999)

This disc documents Quebec's work with an expanded lineup — the "Swing Seven" septet. The July 1945 session featured Buck Clayton on trumpet, Keg Johnson on trombone, Ram Ramirez on piano, Tiny Grimes on guitar, Grachan Moncur II on bass, and J.C. Heard on drums. For the September 1946 session, the trumpet chair passed to Shad Collins, the guitar to John Collins, and Milt Hinton took over on bass.
The repertoire spans swing-era standards ("I Found A New Baby," "I Surrender Dear," "Topsy," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "The Masquerade Is Over") alongside Quebec originals ("Cup-Mute Clayton" — a tribute to trumpeter Buck Clayton, "Basically Blue," "Zig Billion"). Numerous alternate takes provide valuable insight into the variability of approaches to arrangements and improvisation in the studio. "I Found A New Baby" is a brisk, energetic workout where the soloists sound perfectly relaxed despite the rapid tempo, while "I Surrender Dear" serves as a ravishing ballad showcase for Quebec, crowned by an emotional cadenza.
These recordings capture Quebec in a more mature phase of his early period — already commanding a distinctive voice at the intersection of swing and early bebop, surrounded by first-rate musicians of the era.

Tracklist:
1-1 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - I Found A New Baby (Alternate Take) [4:07]
1-2 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - I Found A New Baby [3:54]
1-3 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - I Surrender Dear [4:28]
1-4 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - I Surrender Dear (Alternate Take) [4:28]
1-5 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - Topsy [3:07]
1-6 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - Cup-Mute Clayton [2:52]
1-7 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - The Masquerade Is Over (Alternate Take 1) [3:28]
1-8 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - The Masquerade Is Over [2:59]
1-9 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - The Masquerade Is Over (Alternate Take 2) [3:01]
1-10 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - Basically Blue [3:04]
1-11 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - Someone To Watch Over Me [3:06]
1-12 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - Someone To Watch Over Me (Alternate Take) [3:10]
1-13 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - Zig Billion (Alternate Take) [3:06]
1-14 Ike Quebec Swing Seven - Zig Billion [2:58]