Harold Mabern (p); Lee Morgan (tr);
Hubert Laws (ts, fl); Buster Williams (b); Idris Muhammad (d); "Boogaloo" Joe Jones (g, 1 trk only)
Recorded on January 26, 1970
reissued as part of the CD Wailin'
(Prestige, 1994)
Harold Mabern was part of a group of musicians hailing from Memphis, Tennessee who came up the Fifties and continued to work together throughout their lives. The group included George Coleman, Booker Little, and Frank Strozier. Mabern initially moved to Chicago, where he was part of the band MJT + 3 and recorded for Chicago's Vee-Jay label. In 1959, he moved to New York, where he immediately became immersed in the jazz scene.
Over the years, Mabern worked and recorded with a vast number of musicians, including Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jimmy Forrest, Lionel Hampton, Donald Byrd, Roy Haynes, Miles Davis, J. J. Johnson, Sonny Rollins, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, and Blue Mitchell. He was also an exceptional accompanist for singers, having supported Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Betty Carter, Johnny Hartman, and Arthur Prysock.
In 1965, Mabern began working regularly with trumpeter Lee Morgan, an important relationship that continued until Morgan's death in 1972. Morgan also appears on the album that I've selected for today, Greasy Kid Stuff!
Joe Segal's liner notes tell us that Mabern gave the title track of this LP "Greasy Kid Stuff" because Mabern's six year old son couldn't resist dancing as Mabern composed the tune. I like that beautiful image. Given the title, you might think the entire album consists of funky, down-home soul-jazz, but that's not the case. Instead, it offers a mixture of Horace Silver-ish funk, hard bop, a lovely ballad, and a cover of the Jackson Five's "I Want You Back." The whole band plays wonderfully, but Idris Muhammad's drumming is especially notable. His powerful, distinctive sound exerted a far-reaching influence in certain jazz circles throughout the decade.
Aside from one relatively obscure record from 1978, Greasy Kid Stuff! was Mabern's only recording as a leader during the 1970s. But, as we will see later in this survey, he continued to perform regularly in important sideman roles. Mabern's career as a leader blossomed later, and he recorded prolifically until his death just last year.
Hey, Hutch, really enjoying the blog. Have heard of Harold Maybern and own his last CD but have none of his earlier stuff. Hey, by the way, did you know your name is not on the blog? At least I can't find it anywhere! Don't be so shy! Cheers, Robert
ReplyDeleteRobert, glad to hear that you're enjoying the blog. My name, Scott Mortensen, is posted in the "About Me" section (in the upper-right if you're viewing the blog using a regular monitor, not a mobile device). I haven't filled out the profile yet. I suppose I should do that!
ReplyDeleteTo me this is the link between Idris' Alligator Boogaloo-style thing and the earlier Billy Higgins/Son of Sidewinder thing (channeling Bob Beldon's writing style here).
ReplyDelete