Mercury Records Collection: MGE-26006: The Driver

MGE-26006: The Driver / Buddy Rich

Label Type :	white EmArcy promotional type E
Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	MG 26006A E 1 I RR
	SIDE-B	MG 26006B E 1 I RR

Comments

Equivalent release: EmArcy SRE-66006 (stereo).

Originally intended for release as Mercury MG-20595 (mono) / SR-60254, but cancelled by an unknown reason.

promotional copy with white EmArcy label; “NOT FOR SALE” stamped on the back cover.

Inside The Groove

Buddy Rich Septet's unreleased studio session, featuring young Mike Mainieri.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

This album was recorded in 1960, and was intended for release under Mercury label. However, due to a certain reason this session had been shelved for about five years.

In my humble opinion, this LP surely is Buddy Rich's best album among his Mercury releases (which includes drum battles against Max Roach, moody bigband featuring his own voice, ordinary bigband session with studio musicians). This is probably because the LP was based on his own road band at the time. Hard-driving, swingy and unique. Another highlight of this LP is the inclusion of young Mike Mainiere on vibraphone, who plays very nice.

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

8 out of 10

Track Listing

SIDE-A
A-1	19895 (PB3236)	Brainwashed (E. Wilkins - B. Rich)	5:00
A-2	19894 (PB3235)	A Swinging Serenade (E. Wilkins)	4:05
A-3	19893 (PB3234)	Big Leg Mary (E. Wilkins - B. Rich)	5:45
A-4	19889 (PB2844)	Straight, No Chaser (~~J. Adderley~~ T. Monk)	4:20
SIDE-B
B-1	19886 (PB2749)	Bloddy Mary (E. Wilkins)	6:30
B-2	19890 (PB2845)	A Night In Tunisia (J. “Dizzy” Gillespie - F. Paparelli)	6:05
B-3	19891 (PB3059)	Miss Bessie's Cookin' (E. Wilkins - B. Rich)	5:15

Personnel

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

Irving “Markie” Markowitz (tp), Willie Dennis (tb), Seldon Powell (ts),
Mike Mainieri (vib), Dave McKenna (p), Earl May (b), Buddy Rich (ds).
Recorded at Fine Recording, New York City on April 7 & 8, 1960.

Produced by Jack Tracy.
Supervised by Hal Mooney.
Arranged by Ernie Wilkins.