Record of the day: Red Garland, “Red’s Good Groove”

Red Garland
“Red’s Good Groove” (Jazzland CD OJC 1064-2)

Timeless Red Garland. His pianism, strong of an unbreakable professionalism, always guarantees quality results in
any context but it is when Red finds himself with a group of friends known since always that the results really shine. After all, how could it be otherwise given that here his four companions in adventure are authentic giants of their respective instruments?

Pepper Adams on baritone sax is unleashed, his solos are even more powerful than usual, the fun seems to run through him like an electric current, and in “This Time the Dream’s on Me” his instrumental lines are truly sculpted, burning with authentic hardbop fire. Blue Mitchell’s trumpet responds in kind, albeit with a more elastic phrasing that takes into account in no small measure the lesson of Kenny Dorham. Sam Jones is as always definitive in his interventions on the double bass, the walking bass produced by his fingers could support an entire big band by itself without batting an eyelid and this steely solidity is well complemented by the class of drummer Philly Joe Jones, once again perfectly at ease both in the fast tempos of “Take Me in Your Arms” and in the very difficult slow shuffle of “Love Is Here to Stay”.

Garland is galvanized by the presence of this A-list ensemble and offers us one of the best recordings of his career (which is full of excellent recordings), with always magnificent solos. Nothing revolutionary should be expected from Garland’s records, the repertoire is generally consolidated between very famous standards (this time there is also “Falling in Love with Love”) and original compositions that draw from the blues absorbing its moods like a sponge.
This time, however, Red only signs the title track of the album and leaves Pepper Adams to sign the other first, “Excerent!”, which explicitly pays homage to Horace Silver’s compositional style; Adams’ solo is memorable for the quality of its ideas, just as Mitchell’s trumpet is decidedly sparkling in continuing the discourse over Garland’s piano harmonies, rich but able to avoid any heaviness.

The good mood that shines through in the recording is easily transmitted to the listener, creating one of the most pleasant musical occasions you can ever experience.

Carlo Boccadoro, composer and conductor, was born in Macerata in 1963. He lives and works in Milan. He collaborates with soloists and orchestras in different parts of the world. He is the author of numerous books on musical subjects.

This text is taken from “Lunario della musica: Un disco per ogni giorno dell’anno” published by Einaudi, courtesy of the author and the publisher.