Oliver Nelson - The Blues and the Abstract Truth

While the last reviewed jazz record by me - Lou Donaldson's "Blues Walk" - had a very polished and gentle sound, this would be a kind of nasty and out of control record. It's still the same nice sound of bebop but it's louder and totally unpredictable. It's "The Blues and the Abstract Truth" by arranger and saxophone player Oliver Nelson.

It all starts with "Stolen Moments", one of my favorite jazz compositions ever. Beautiful melody and catchy riffs, long solos by Nelson, wild Eric Dolphy, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and pianist Bill Evans, that track became one of the most popular post-50s jazz standards. It's almost nine minutes of pure magic, way more than words can say: you can like jazz or not, this one is for everybody.


Another outstanding tracks are "Hoe-Down" and "Yearnin'". All compositions are by Nelson and he plays main role here, but his side men are doing fabulous job: they are all jazz greats: Eric Dolphy, George Barrow, Freddie Hubbard and rhythm section: Bill Evans, Paul Chambers and Roy Haynes. "Butch & Butch" is another speeding tune on the album, and "Cascades" is what only a couple of months ago I'd simply call a typical jazz composition: now I find a great joy in listening to those raves.

This record - totally unlike most of the others! - makes me want not to play instruments and perform, but rather write jazz compositions. Nelson's works are imaginative: so simple yet so complex, you just gotta hear it to understand. Do yourself a favor! ;-)