Mercury Records Collection: EmArcy MG-36002: Jam Session

MG-36002: Jam Session / Various Artists

Label Type :	blue EmArcy type A
Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	YMG36002A M D
	SIDE-B	YMG36002A 2 M F


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Comments

Both the cover and the disc in perfect mint condition: a seller told me this copy was from that late Lester Koenig collection - what a distinct honour to own such a nice copy!

All tunes also available on EP-1-6086, EP-1-6087 and EP-1-6088.

Inside The Groove

A great jam session by EmArcy all stars, planned by Bob Shad, maybe under heavy influences on Norman Granz's JATP jam session. A companion release was MG-36000 (Dinah Jams), which was from the same jam session.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

August 14, 1954 jam session had left a fruitful result - MG-36000 features a number of tunes with Dinah Washington, and this MG-36002 contains other instrumental tunes, except one Dinah tune.

Listen carefully to A-1 and B-1 ... both are an awesome blowin' jam session; A-1 is a bit relaxed swinging sound and B-1 is unleashed excitement with great trumpet battles. Maynard Ferguson, known as a "high-note hitter", plays so brilliant and "not-so-high" here :) Clark Terry, few months before his leader recording on EmArcy, also plays beautifully and powerful. And of course Clifford Brown - all of his sound are inevitable. Nothing but awesome. Really awesome. Reeds players like Herb Geller and Harold Land digs a good job among finest trumpet battles.

A-2, featuring The Queen Dinah Washington, sounds so beautifully. A comfortable tension before her voice comin' in, and once she sings in, her awesome singing is overwhelming all around. Beautiful and moving song.

B-2 is a medley, featuring Richie Powell, Clark Terry, Herb Geller and Clifford Brown respectively. We must be deeply moved by their beautiful and soulful play.

Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

10 out of 10

Track Listing

SIDE-A
A-1	10900-1	What Is This Thing Called Love	-
A-2	10904-3	Dawn That Dream	-
SIDE-B
B-1	10903-2	Move	-
B-2	10906-1	Medley	-
		My Funny Valentine
		Don't Worry 'Bout Me
		Bess, You Is My Woman Now
		It Might As Well Be Spring

Personnel

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)

Clifford Brown (tp), Maynard Ferguson (tp), Clark Terry (tp),
Harold Land (ts), Herb Geller (as),
Richie Powell (p), Junior Mance (p), Keter Betts (b), George Morrow (b), Max Roach (ds),
Dinah Washington (vo on A-2 only).
Recorded in Los Angeles, August 14, 1954.