Hampton Hawes, a bop-oriented pianist in the '50s, continued to develop and evolve throughout his career without losing his musical identity. For this trio set with bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Michael Carvin, Hawes shows the influence of McCoy Tyner a bit and, by performing Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's in Love with You" (along with four other group originals), he shows his openness to including some pop material in his repertoire (although his explorative version owes little to the original hit tune). This excellent live session has plenty of close interplay by the tight trio. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. The Camel (Michael Carvin)
2. Little Miss Laurie (Henry Franklin)
3. Broad Blues Acres (Hampton Hawes)
4. This Guy in Live with You (Bacharach/Davis)
5. Footprints (Wayne Shorter)
6. Spanish Way (Hampton Hawes)
7. Dexter's Deck (Dexter Gordon)
HAMPTON HAWES piano
DEXTER GORDON tenor saxophone (7)
MICHAEL CARVIN drums
HENRY FRANKLIN bass
Recorded live at the Montmartre Jazzhus, Copenaghen, 2nd September 1971.
Black Lion Records – BLCD760202 (UK)