Oliver Nelson SCREAMIN THE BLUES

Personnel: Oliver Nelson (alto & tenor saxophones); Eric Dolphy (alto saxophone, bass clarinet); Richard Williams (trumpet); Richard Wyands (piano); George Duvivier (bass); Roy Haynes (drums).
Originally released on New Jazz (8243).
Composer and saxophonist Oliver Nelson holds to his usual high caliber of writing and playing on 1960's SCREAMIN' THE BLUES. Five of the six cuts are penned by Nelson (including the breakneck "Alto-Itis" and the soul-jazz influenced "The Meetin'"). All the tunes mine a solid, blues-based bop feel, with memorable themes and plenty of room for the musicians to stretch out. Nelson's sax work is quite strong, his bright tone and uncluttered, lyrical approach soar over tight-knit backing from Roy Haynes (drums), George Duvivier (bass), and Richard Wyands (piano).
However, it is the presence of lead horns Richard Williams (trumpet) and the incomparable Eric Dolphy (on alto sax and bass clarinet) that really distinguishes SCREAMIN' THE BLUES. Williams's technique (which owes a lot to Dizzy Gillespie) offers a nice tonal contrast to the complex interplay between Nelson and Dolphy. But while Nelson holds his own, Dolphy's elastic lines, witty interpolations, and stunningly fluid acrobatics ultimately steal the show.

• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Jazz