Despite his very erratic lifestyle, altoist Art Pepper never made a bad record. This collection is better than most. The first four titles team together Pepper with tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh, pianist Ronnie Ball, bassist Ben Tucker, and drummer Gary Frommer for generally intriguing explorations of four standards. One can feel the influence of Lennie Tristano (with Pepper in Lee Konitz's place), although Pepper had his own sound and a more hard-swinging style. The success of the Pepper-Marsh front line makes one wish that they had recorded together again. The other three selections are leftovers from a trio of classic Pepper albums, and all are quite worthwhile. Pepper is heard backed by three separate rhythm sections, which include pianists Red Garland, Dolo Coker, or Wynton Kelly; either Paul Chambers or Jimmy Bond on bass; and Philly Joe Jones, Frank Butler, or Jimmy Cobb on drums. Overall, this album sticks to bop standards and finds Art Pepper in top form. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (Gaskill-McHugh)
2. All The Things You Are (Hammerstein-Kern)
3. What’s New (Haggart-Burke)
4. Ticket Toe (Young)
5. The Man I Love You (G. Gershwin-I. Gershwin)
6. Autumn Leaves (Prevert-Kosma-Mercer)
7. The Way You Look Tonight (Fields-Kern)
8. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me (alternate take)
9. All The Things You Are (alternate Take)
ART PEPPER alto sax
WARNE MARSH tenor sax (1-4) (8) (9)
RONNIE BALL piano (1-4) (8) (9)
BEN TUCKER bass (1-4) (8) (9)
GARY FROMMER drums (1-4) (8) (9)
RED GARLAND piano (5)
PAUL CHAMBERS bass (5) (7)
DOLO COKER piano (6)
JIMMY BOND bass (6)
FRANK BUTLER drums (6)
WYNTON KELLY piano (7)
JIMMY COBB drums (7)
All sessions recorded at Contemporary’s Studio in Los Angeles
(1-4) recorded November 26, 1956, released 1972
(5) recorded January 19, 1957, released 1972
(6) recorded November 23, 1960. Previously unreleased from sesión “Art Pepper; Intensity” (Contemporary S7607)
(7) recorded February 29, 1960. Previously unreleased sesión for “Art Pepper; Gettin’ Together” (Contemporary S7573
Contemporary Records UDSACD 2034