Buddy De Franco - Bravura - Complete 1959 Septette Sessions (2012)

The recordings in the present set are typically fluent, compelling De Franco music in a first-class small combo setting. I never abandoned the idea of being able to experience a somatic feeling in addition to the intellectual experience of modern music. Both are essential. You gotta have boththe cerebral and the feel, the funk.

Individually De Franco and Harry Sweets Edison blow with the confidence and assertiveness that have become their hallmarks. Kessel takes care of business, lying quietly in the background until it comes his turn to solo, then leaping out to have his say. Jimmy Rowles, Herbie Mann, Bob Hardaway, and the rest of the men playing here are deeply swinging in healthly, mainstream fashion.

One of the attractions is the delicacy of some of the ensemble textures and the way in which basic harmonies have been amended to fit the character of these 1959 De Franco Septette. Theres a lot of great listening here whatever your bias.