Roots

Recorded in 1985, this is a great straight-ahead quintet session led by veteran trombonist Slide Hampton. A fine player, Slide is also a talented composer and arranger; all these skills are amply displayed on this disk. Slide and Clifford Jordan (tenor sax) play especially well together and their warm, fluid horns are supported by the fine play of pianist Cedar Walton, bassist David Williams, and drummer Billy Higgins. Both Walton and (especially) Higgins have appeared on many classic jazz recordings over the years, and they both shine here. I wasn't familiar with the bassist, but he certainly holds up his end and is well-captured in the recording. Each of the musicians gets nice solo space, but it's the arrangements and overall interplay of the group that are probably most impressive. The overall feel of this date is quite relaxed, yet there's no shortage of energy.Four 8 to 12 minute tracks comprised the original LP, including originals by Jordan ("Precipice"), Walton ("Maple Street"), and Hampton ("Roots"), and a Miles Davis composition ("Solar"). The CD includes 4 additional tracks (1 alternate take and 3 new tunes) probably recorded at the same session. One of the bonus tracks, "Barbados," a Charlie Parker composition which gets a new arrangement here, is as good as the 4 original tracks, and was probably left off the original album only for lack of space. The other 3 bonus tracks sound a bit tentative in places. A fine, often over-looked session from the 1980s. Highly recommended.

Truly one of the great's along with Curtis Fuller and Shorty Williams they are all missedRIP my Big Band Family right along with my Dad. Kudos until we meet again

Slide Hampton recently passed away and this is one of his best albums hands down! A must have for any Slide Hampton fan.

There seems to be some confusion here as the review by Danny C appears to relate to an entirely different record. This disc is a quintet session from 1985 with Slide Hampton on trombone, Clifford Jordan on tenor, and a rhythm section of Cedar Walton, David Williams and Billy Higgins. It is a good session although a little lacking in impact. The original issue had the first four tracks only on it but this reissue adds a further four tracks giving a fairly generous 70 minutes playing time. The tracks include Miles Davis' 'Solar', Bird's 'Barbados' and the old standard 'My Old Flame', together with five originals, none of which are particularly memorable.The leader is a very good trombonist, essentially in the J.J. style but with plenty of technique and swing and a full but not heavy sound. Most of the tracks are long and he has no problems in remaining inventive throughout. Clifford Jordan is a very similar player, technically very capable and fluent in a sort of smoothed out Coltrane style. Much the same can also be said of Cedar Walton, a constructive accompanist and a fluent soloist without being particularly memorable in either capacity. The little known David Williams, who was the bassist in Cedar's trio at the time, is swinging and supportive, and forms a very effective rhythmic support for the band with the great Billy Higgins.Having said all of which, I find that half an hour after listening to the disc, I don't remember much about it. Most of Slide's earlier records showed him at his best in a big band setting or with his own Octet, so maybe this wasn't quite his most suitable setting. Or, maybe, the spark wasn't quite there that day. However, Slide is a very fine trombonist who should be listened to here or elsewhere.