JOHNNY LYTLE: The sound of Velvet Soul

JOHNNY LYTLE
Apesar de ser muito respeitado pelos músicos, Johnny Lytle nunca teve o devido reconhecimento pelo grande público e seu nome permanece obscuro, até mesmo para aficcionados do jazz. Os melhores anos de sua carreira, do ponto de vista comercial e de alguma notoriedade, foram os da década de 60. Curiosamente, durante algum tempo, Johnny Lytle conseguiu (não sei como) conciliar as carreira de músico e "boxeur".
--------------------
JOHNNY LYTLE
Johnny Lytle (born John Dillard Lytle on 13 October 1932, Springfield, Ohio; died December 15, 1995, Springfield) was a jazz musician. Johnny Lytle grew up in a family of music, the son of a trumpeter father and an organist mother. He began playing the drums and piano at an early age. Before studying music in earnest,
he was a boxer, and was a successful Golden Gloves champion. During the late '50s, Lytle continued to box, but landed jobs as a drummer for Ray Charles and others. By 1960, he turned to music, playing the vibraphone. Considered one of the top vibes players in the world, Johnny Lytle was known for his great hand speed and showmanship. Throughout his career he performed and recorded with jazz greats the likes of Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis, Nancy Wilson, Bobby Timmons and Roy Ayers. Lytle remained a popular concert attraction in the U.S. and Europe; his last performance was with the Springfield (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra in his hometown in November 1995.
(Source: Wikipedia, edited by CB)
------------
ALBUM REVIEW
A great one from Johnny -- slightly different than earlier work on Riverside or Tuba, but still with that tight stepping vibes sound that makes all his albums great! The album features arrangements by Manny Albam, many that have a slightly Latin feel, thanks to bongos and conga by Johnny Pacheco. The group includes a
brace of saxes by players like Joe Farrell, Seldon Powell, Frank Wess, and Jerome Richardson -- and tracks include "Suddenly You", "Up Up & Away", "The Thing To Do", "We're Blusein", "Live For Life", "LA Soul", and "Street Scene". (Cover has some flaking & the gatefold is taped to the bottom seam.)
© 1996-2009, Dusty Groove America, Inc.
-----------
MY OPPINION
This is an awesome recording, due to Lytle´s great performance and to the gorgeous arrangements penned by MANNY ALBAM, one of the best jazz arrangers, ever. Besides, the top-notch musicians assembled for this recording, comprise what we should call a "dream team". Don´t miss it.
(CB)
-------------
MINHA OPINIÃO: neste álbum, tão importante quanto a performance de Johnny Lytle são os arranjos para quinteto de saxofones, escritos pelo extraordinário arranjador MANNY ALBAM, que se constituem numa aula de elegância, bom gosto e competência. Além disso, os músicos que participam da gravação são o "creme-do-creme", um timaço de craques, um verdadeiro "dream team". Destaque para os arranjos de "Up up and away" e "On a clear day". BELEZA PURA!
-------------
JOHNNY LYTLE: The sound of Velvet Soul

PERSONNEL:
Frank Wess (tenor sax)
Seldon Powell (tenor sax)
Jerome Richardson (alto sax)
Joe Farrell (alto sax)
Sol Schlinger (baritone sax)
Richard Davis (bass)
Mel Lewis (drums)
Johnny Lytle (vibes)
Johnny Pacheco (percussion)
Manny Albam (arranger, conducer)

TRACKS/FAIXAS
1. The Thing To Do (Manny Albam) - 2:52
2. We're Bluesin' (Johnny Lytle) - 2:24
3. L.A. Soul (Johnny Lytle) - 3:46
4. Street Scene (A. Newman) - 4:07
5. Live For Life (Vivre Pour Vivre) (F. Lai/N. Gimbel) - 2:13
6. Under The Rising Sun (Johnny Lytle) - 4:09
7. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) (A.J. Lerner/B. Lane) - 2:57
8 h. Somewhere (L. Bernstein/S. Sondheim) - 4:05
9. Up, Up And Away (Jimmy Webb) - 2:38
10. Suddenly You (W. Marks) - 2:55