Soulmates

by Ben Webster

Product Description:

Personnel: Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Joe Zawinul (piano); Thad Jones (cornet); Sam Jones, Richard Davis (bass); Philly Joe Jones (drums).

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York, New York in 1963. Originally released on Riverside (9476).

Digitally remastered by Gary Hobish (1991, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley).

This special collector's edition was digitally remastered from the original analog master tapes.

At first, the pairing of Ben Webster with pianist Joe Zawinul seems a little strange: Webster represents the old guard, the first wave of swing musicians, while Joe Zawinul represents modernity, fusion jazz, and electronic media. SOULMATES is an apt title, however; Zawinul fits in quite well with Webster's musical concepts, finding no problem in a mainstream setting.

SOULMATES may be the best recording of Webster's later years. The music is fresh and inspired, imaginative and playful. Highlights include Zawinul's own composition "Frog Legs," and Webster's piece, "The Governor." Both tunes display a musical zest that is simply contagious. The musicians sound like they're having fun, which makes for compelling listening. Thad Jones's trumpet work on four of the tunes adds still more charm to the proceedings.