Additional information
Personnel: Milt Jackson (vibraphone); Benny Golson (tenor saxophone); Art Farmer (trumpet); Tommy Flanagan (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Connie Kay (drums). Producer: Jack Lewis. Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna. Recorded at Nola's Penthouse, New York, New York on December 28 & 29, 1958. Includes liner notes by Nat Hentoff. One of the most consistently impressive things about Milt "Bags" Jackson's discography is the remarkable caliber of his collaborating musicians. BAGS' OPUS is no exception--the renowned vibraphonist is joined on these tracks by Benny Golson (tenor sax), Art Farmer (trumpet), Tommy Flanagan (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Connie Kay (drums). The program here is hard bop--rhythmic and melodically complex tunes executed with plenty of soul and swing, but with precision and polish born of the most confident musicianship. Jackson's tune "Blues for Diahann" is a 12-bar jam with sensitive, blues-inflected solos all around. Golson's presence is particularly notable on these sessions; in addition to his fine playing, he wrote the arrangements and also contributed two tunes, the melancholic "I Remember Clifford" and the low-key "Whisper Not." There is a strong sense of unity in the ensemble here--no one tries to outplay the others; nuance, subtle phrasing, and lyrical playing are the order of the day.
