| Review:Pianist
Dolo Coker had just four opportunities to lead his own record dates
during his career, all for the Xanadu label during 1976-79. The title of
this LP refers to the fact that the music is not California "cool jazz"
but intense hard bop from the Golden State. In addition to bassist
Leroy Vinnegar and drummer
Frank Butler (who appear on
Coker's first three Xanadu albums) and trumpeter
Blue
Mitchell (who was on the preceding LP
Dolo), the great altoist
Art
Pepper (doubling on tenor) makes one of his very rare appearances as a
sideman. The well-rounded set has originals by
Coker,
Pepper ("Mr Yohe") and
Mitchell (a drum feature for
Butler on "Roots 4FB") along with a showcase for the trio ("Gone
Again") and a vintage standard ("Gone with the Wind"). A strong effort. --
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
