Funky

by Gene Ammons

Product Description:

Personnel: Gene Ammons (tenor saxophone); Jackie McLean (alto saxophone); Art Farmer (trumpet); Mal Waldron (piano); Kenny Burrell (guitar); Doug Watkins (bass); Art Taylor (drums).

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey on January 11, 1957. Includes liner notes by Ira Gitler.

Digitally remastered by Kirk Felton (1992, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).

The cast of FUNKY resembles that of Ammons' THE HAPPY BLUES, recorded a year earlier. Ammons' varying All Stars lineup again features a rich frontline, with his tenor saxophone joined by Jackie McLean's alto and Art Farmer's trumpet. This time out, the All Stars sail over a quartet of guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Mal Waldron, bass player Doug Watkins, and drummer Arthur Taylor.

The four extended tunes allow ample space for each of the richly charismatic soloists. Burrell's title tune starts things off with a relaxed groove pretty much characteristic of the whole set. Things slow down for the lush balladry of "Stella by Starlight," which shows off Waldron's stylish support to great effect. Shortly after this session, Waldron would be heard accompanying Billie Holiday for the last two years of her life.