Blue MITCHELL - Many Shades Of Blue 1974

Blue MITCHELL - Many Shades Of Blue 1974
MRL 402

Jazz

Sweet electric 70s funk from Blue Mitchell -- blowing here in some of the hippest arrangements of his career! Blue's trumpet alone is always pretty darn great, but for this album he's working with arranger Dave Matthews -- who gives the tunes fierce groove that mixes vamping guitars with snapping drums -- sort of picking up the groove that Matthews forged with James Brown, but allowing for a lot freer jazz interplay! The guitars are often recorded in a cool way that has them sounding a bit "watery" alongside the rhythms -- so much so, you'd swear they were keyboards at times -- and this approach sounds really great underneath Blue's tighter, harder, more punctuated solos over the top of the tracks. Additional support comes from horn players Joe Farrell and Seldon Powell and titles include "Funk Walk", "Blue Funk", "Funny Bone", "Golden Feathered Bird", "Harmony Of The Underworld", and "Hot Stuff".
From Dusty Groove.
**
Bass [Fender]- Michael Moore (2) , Wilbur Bascomb
Drums- James Madison (2)
Guitar- Joe Beck , John Tropea , Sam Brown (2)
Saxophone [Tenor]- Frank Vicari
Saxophone [Tenor], Flute- Joe Farrell
Saxophone [Tenor], Saxophone [Baritone]- Seldon Powell
Trumpet- Blue Mitchell , Jim Bossy , Jon Faddis , Markie Markowitz
**
A1. Where It's At 3:30
A2. Harmony Of The Underground 5:50
A3. Funky Walk 4:36
A4. Blue Funk 4:37
B1. Golden Feathered Bird 4:04
B2. Beans & Taters 4:25
B3. Funny Bone 3:37
B4. Hot Stuff 3:55
**
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Blue MITCHELL - Function Junction 1976

Blue MITCHELL - Function Junction 1976
RCA APL-1493

Jazz

Should probably rather be called Function Junktion. Yeah, it's your typical 2nd-half-of-the-70s-jazz-fusion-gone-wrong-album. But it's not that horrible. Ok, "I Am in Heaven" begins as a quite culture-negating Biergarten singalong, and the crew even manages to deny the magic of "Delilah". And the two Mitchell compositions come off as pretty questionable, too... um, what was it I wanted to mention positively? Uh yes, "Daydream" has a relatively nice carefree feel, but on (m)any other Blue Mitchell albums you'd notice its cheese. Well, we can be sure that this will not be reissued, which at least enhaces the formal value of this record.
**
David T. Walker , Michael Anthony- Guitar
James Gadson- Drums
Harold Land- Tenor Sax
George Young- Flute, Tenor Sax
Henry Davis- Bass (tracks: A1, A2, B3)
Ron Brown- Bass (tracks: A3, A4, B1, B2)
David Moore- Cello
Gary Coleman- Percussion
Clarence McDonald- Piano
Mike Lipskin- Synthesizer, Percussion
Rod Levitt- Strings & Horns Conductor
Wayne Andre, Alan Raph- Trombon
John Gatchell , Jon Faddis- Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Alvin Rogers , Harold Kohon , Norman Carr- Violin
Frank Floyd , Gwendolyn Guthrie , Patti Austin- Voice
Blue Mitchell- Trumpet, Flugelhorn
**
A1. I'm In Heaven 5:37
       Composed By - M. Steals
A2. AM-FM Blues 4:21
       Composed By - B. Mitchell
A3. Then Came You 4:52
       Composed By - P. Pugh , S. Marshall
A4. Daydream 4:45
       Composed By - B. Strayhorn , D. Ellington , J. LaTouche
B1. Love Machine 7:19
       Composed By - B. Griffin* , P. Moore
B2. Delilah 8:11
       Composed By - V. Young
B3. Collaborations 5:15
       Composed By - B. Mitchell
**
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Blue MITCHELL - Blue's Moods 1960

Blue MITCHELL - Blue's Moods 1960
1994 Issue

Jazz 

This review is from: Blue's Moods (Audio CD)
One of the biggest challenges for a musician is to front a quartet. There's no one to hide behind. For Richard "Blue" Mitchell, Blue's Moods was his debut as the lone horn player. In the earlier part of his career, Blue was strongly self-critical, always concerned that he wasn't living up to his (self-perceived) potential. His last effort, Blue Soul was a turning point for him. Three of the cuts on Blue Soul were quartet numbers, giving him the chance to show his newly found musical maturity and confidence. Blue's Moods builds on the same sound heard on Blue Soul, and takes it to the next level.
The songs on this album cover a wide range of feelings and tempos, hence the name Blue's Moods instead of Blue's Mood. Mitchell slips right into the groove on "I'll Close My Eyes." and never looks back. The rhythm section on these sessions--Wynton Kelly (piano), Sam Jones (bass) and Roy Brooks (drums)--is outstanding. As you listen to these tracks, it's readily apparent that this wasn't just a one-off thing. Kelly and Jones both get to stretch out a bit on the lightly swinging "Avars." One of the best cuts here is the superb rendition of Charlie Parker's "Scrapple From the Apple." This may be Blue's date, but the trio really stands out on this one.

Blue played a vintage cornet owned by the album's engineer Ray Fowler on the introspective "Kinda Vague." The sparse arrangement really accentuates the horn's somewhat dry sound. Mitchell displays his penchant for the blues on tracks like "Sir John," and "Sweet Pumpkin." Jones' walking bass line on the latter makes this tune another highlight. Maybe you're looking for something in more of a romantic vein. "When I Fall in Love" is the perfect track to share with your significant other. Light some candles, get a nice bottle of wine and you're set.

But let's face it--your significant other probably doesn't care about sound quality, and since this CD technically falls under the audiophile heading, that's what you really want to know about, right? I'll just say this. As with just about all of the XRCD discs, the extended resolution and definition provided by the 20-bit, K2 mastering process is nothing short of amazing. The OJC version of this CD never sounded bad, but when you compare it to this pressing, it sounds like an AM radio. There's really that much of a difference. To sum things up, Blue's Mood is an instantly enjoyable album by some of jazz' finest musicians; and thanks to the folks at JVC, it never sounded better.
By  Steve Marshall.

Blue Mitchell- (Trumpet);
Wynton Kelly- (Piano);
Sam Jones- (Bass);
Roy Brooks- (Drums).
**
01. I'll Close My Eyes (5:56)
02. Avars (4:07)
03. Scrapple From The Apple (4:00)
04. Kinda Vague (6:28)
05. Sir John (606)
06. When I Fall In Love (5:42)
07. Sweet Pumpkin (4:19)
08. I Wish I Knew (4:26)
**
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Blue MITCHELL - Heads Up 1968

Blue MITCHELL - Heads Up 1968
BST 84272

Jazz

An excellent set by Blue -- featuring his funky trumpet blowing out over backings by a 9 piece group arranged by Duke Pearson and Jimmy Heath. The cuts are longer than on Blue's later Blue Note LPs -- like Collision In Black and Bantu Village -- and the groove's got a nice warm bottom to it, with nice lyrical solos throughout that kind of link together the two sides of his Blue Note work. Includes the cuts "Heads Up! Feet Down!", "Good Humor Man", "Len Sirrah", and "People in Nassau". A tough one to find, too! (Liberty/UA pressing. Vinyl has some oxidation and light sleeve marks, but play is not affected. Cover looks great!)
From Dusty Groove.
**
Gene Taylor- Bass
Al Foster- Drums
McCoy Tyner- Piano
Jerry Dodgion- Alto Sax,Flute
Pepper Adams- Bariton Sax
Junior Cook- Tenor Sax
Julian Priester- Trombone
Blue Mitchell , Burt Collins- Trumpet
**
A1. Heads Up! Feet Down! 5:40  
A2. Togetherness 6:45
A3. The Folks Who Live On The Hill 5:25  
B1. Good Humor Man 5:40  
B2. Len Sirrah 7:15 
B3. The People In Nassau 5:40  
**
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Blue MITCHELL - Graffiti Blues 1973

Blue MITCHELL - Graffiti Blues  1973
MRL 400

Jazz

One of Blue Mitchell's hippest funky sets of the 70s -- an unusual little record that mixes a bit of funky harmonica with his own soulful trumpet! The approach definitely echoes a bit of the "blues" in the title -- but the groove is much more straightforward and funky -- that hard-edged approach that shows up on the best electric Mainstream sessions of the time, with a bad-stepping bottom that moves along nicely throughout! Harmonica's handled by Don Bailey, and other players include Joe Sample on keyboards, Herman Riley on tenor, Freddie Robinson on guitar, and Ray Pounds on drums. Cuts are all nice and long, quite open overall, and almost more relaxed than some of Blue's other Mainstream sessions -- and titles include "Graffiti Blues", "Yeah Ya Right", "Express", "Asso Kam", and "Dorado".
From Dusty Groove.
**
Blue Mitchell- Trumpet
Darrell Clayborn- Fender Bass
Ray Pounds- Drums
Freddie Robinson- Guitar
Don Bailey- Harmonica
Walter Bishop, Jr.- Piano
Joe Sample- Piano, Electric Piano
Herman Riley- Tenor Sax
**
A1. Graffiti Blues  7:16
A2. Yeah Ya Right  5:28
A3. Express  5:05
B1. Asso-Kam  7:23
B2. Dorado   8:58
**
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Blue MITCHELL - African Violet 1977

Blue MITCHELL - African Violet 1977

Jazz

This is a release by trumpet player Blue Mitchell on ABC/Impulse from 1977, next to some old cohorts it has many of the best session artists on it, players are Herman Riley, Sonny Burke, Lee Ritenour, Scott Edwards, James Gadson, Paulinho Da Costa, McKinley Jackson, Michael Boddicker and others. Also some background vocals and strings, yielding another nice funk-jazz album from the 70ies.
**
Mitchell was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He began playing trumpet in high school where he acquired his nickname, Blue.[1]
After high school he played in the rhythm and blues ensembles of Paul Williams, Earl Bostic, and Chuck Willis. After returning to Miami he was noticed by Cannonball Adderley, with whom he recorded for Riverside Records in New York in 1958.
He then joined the Horace Silver Quintet playing with tenor Junior Cook, bassist Gene Taylor and drummer Roy Brooks. Mitchell stayed with Silver's group until the band's break-up in 1964. After the Silver quintet disbanded, Mitchell formed a group with members from the Silver quintet substituting the young pianist Chick Corea for Silver and replacing a then sick Brooks with drummer Al Foster. This group produced a number of records for Blue Note disbanding in 1969, after which Mitchell joined and toured with Ray Charles till 1971.
From 1971 to 1973 Mitchell performed with John Mayall on Jazz Blues Fusion. From the mid-70s he recorded and worked as a session man in the genres noted previously, performed with the big band leaders Louie Bellson, Bill Holman and Bill Berry and was principal soloist for Tony Bennett and Lena Horne. Other band leaders Mitchell recorded with include Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Philly Joe Jones, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley, Johnny Griffin, Al Cohn, Dexter Gordon and Jimmy Smith. Blue Mitchell kept his hard-bop playing going with the Harold Land quintet up until his death from cancer on May 21, 1979 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 49.
**
Scott Edwards- Bass (tracks: A2 to A4, B2)
Paulinho Da Costa- Congas (tracks: A1, A2, A4, B2)
Eddie Brown- Congas, Percussion (tracks: A3, B1, B3)
Harold Mason, James Gadson- Drums (tracks: B1, B3)
Sonny Burke- Electric Piano  (tracks: A1, A4, B1 to B3)
Lee Ritenour- Guitar
Sonny Burke- Piano  (tracks: A2, A3)
Harold Land- Saxophone [Tenor]  (tracks: A2, A3, B1 to B3) , Herman Riley (tracks: A1, A4)
Sid Sharp- The Strings, (tracks: A3, B3)
McKinley Jackson- Synthesizer  (tracks: A2, A4, B3) , Michael Boddicker (tracks: A3, B1, B2)
Blue Mitchell- Trumpet (tracks: A1, A2, A4, B1, B2)
Blue Mitchell- Flugelhorn (tracks: A3, B3)
Julia Tillman Waters- Vocals (tracks: A3, B1),Luther Waters (tracks: A3, B1),Maxine Willard Waters (tracks: A3, B1),Oren Waters (tracks: A3, B1)
**
A1. Mississippi Jump 6:38
       Composed By - Larry Nash
       Double Bass - Scott Edwards
A2. Ojos De Rojo 4:04
       Composed By - Cedar Walton
A3. Sand Castles 6:08
       Composed By - Dana Kaproff
A4. African Violet 6:38
       Composed By - Steve Hulse
B1. As 6:28
       Bass - Chuck Domanico
       Composed By - Stevie Wonder
B2. Square Business 8:24
       Composed By - Cedar Walton
B3. Forget 6:51
       Composed By - Don Sebesky
       Double Bass - Chuck Domanico
       Marimba - Bob Zimmitti
**
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Blue MITCHELL - Blues' Blues 1972

Blue MITCHELL - Blues' Blues 1972
MRL 374

Jazz

At the time that this Mainstream LP was recorded, Blue Mitchell was the featured trumpeter with John Mayall's blues group. Mayall returned the favor for Blue's set, playing harmonica with an electric octet headed by Mitchell. Among the sidemen are Herman Riley (on tenor and flute), keyboardist Joe Sample and guitarist Freddy Robinson. The material (all obscure originals) is primarily blues-oriented, and the music overall is listenable and funky, but not particularly memorable. Just an average date from these fine musicians.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
John Mayall-Harmonica
Darrell Clayborn- Bass
John Guerin , Raymond Lee Pounds- Drums
Joe Sample- Electric and Acoustic Piano
Freddie Robinson- Guitar
Harmonica - John Mayall
Herman Riley- Tenor Sax, Flute 
Blue Mitchell- Trumpet, Flugelhorn 
**
A1. Casa Blues   8:25
A2. Just Made Up   7:32
A3. Blues' Blues   7:05
B1. Granite & Concrete   9:51
B2. I Didn't Ask to Be   10:09
**
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Blue MITCHELL - The Thing To Do 1964

Blue MITCHELL - The Thing To Do 1964

Jazz

The Thing to Do" is a great CD! Not much of Blue Mitchell's stuff has been in print for awhile. I'm glad I hesitated on pricey out of print used copies because this CD is a deserved reissue of a classic. Blue Mitchell gained a following from his stint with the Horace Silver group and "Thing To Do" features a working, gigging band that grew out of Horace Silver's group. The band is tight and swings hard on "Fungii Mama" a catchy Caribbean tune authored by Mitchell on "I Got Rhythm" chord changes. The riffs behind each of the soloists and the smooth transitions between sections let you know that these were musicians who've gelled on the bandstand before. They then shift gears to the pretty ballad "Mona's Mood" by Jimmy Heath. Blue shows some really lyrical playing here. "The Thing to Do" is a hard swinging tune where the Horace Silver influence comes through. "Step Lightly" is a laid back swinging tune by Joe Henderson. The album ends up on a modern note with a version of Chick Corea's "Chick's Tune". All of the tunes are really strong and fans of Horace Silver, jazz trumpet, or Messengers style hard bop would be wise to check this out.
The band here is incredible! Mitchell is a confident leader with a bright sound. Listening to Junior Cook away from Horace Silver, I agree with the liner notes that you can hear how his playing is related to Joe Henderson's in tone and the type of rhythmic approaches he uses. This is also a wonderful opportunity to hear Al Foster, one of my favorite drummers in one of his earliest sessions. He's always tasteful but you rarely get to hear him in such sunny hard bop surroundings. Likewise, sessions like these show that Chick Corea can swing hard in straight ahead settings away from fusion or his Akoustic Band.
Fans have been waiting for this one for awhile and it delivers on every account!
**
Unlike most of the recent batch of RVG releases (6/29/04), Blue Mitchell's classic "The Thing To Do" has been unavailable for years, making this remastered reissue is a most welcome addition to the Blue Note catalog. Those familiar with my reviews know how much I love this trumpeter, whether as a leader on his OJC CDs or as a sideman on Horace Silver's Blue Note titles. However, Mitchell saved his best work for his own Blue Note albums made between 1963-67. Despite this, only two of them (the other being "Down With It" -- see my review) have ever been issued as single discs, though they were collected in a limited edition box set by Mosaic.

Anyway, back to this title specifically which was recorded on July 30, 1964, and featured Blue's Silver bandmates Junior Cook on tenor sax and Gene Taylor on bass, along with drummer Al Foster. The real treat though is the inclusion of a young pianist who would become more famous than them all, Chick Corea, making only his second recorded appearance and his Blue Note debut. Corea even contributed one song, the appropriately titled closing track "Chick's Tune." The other originals include Mitchell's own soulful "Fungi Mama," two delightful songs from longtime colleague Jimmy Heath -- the title track and "Mona's Mood" -- and Joe Henderson's classic "Step Lightly," previously recorded for Mitchell's then unreleased Blue Note debut, and recast here. "The Thing To Do" is one of the truly great Blue Note sessions, undeservedly out-of-print for too many years. Now that it is available once again, "The Thing To Do" is buy this CD!
By  Michael B. Richman.
**
This Blue Mitchell date is a classic, particularly the opening "Fungii Mama," which is really catchy. The trumpeter's quintet of the period (which includes tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, the young pianist Chick Corea, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Al Foster) also performs two Jimmy Heath tunes and a song apiece by Joe Henderson ("Step Lightly") and Corea. The record is prime Blue Note hard bop, containing inventive tunes, meaningful solos, and an enthusiastic but tight feel. Highly recommended.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
Blue Mitchell- Trumpet
Junior Cook- Tenor saxophone
Chick Corea- Piano
Gene Taylor- Bass
Al Foster- Drums
**
01. Fungii Mama (7:48)
02. Mona's Mood (5:17)
03. The Thing To Do (7:05)
04. Step Lightly (10:26)
05. Chick's Tune (9:35)
**
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Blue MITCHELL Sextet - Blue Soul 1959

Blue MITCHELL Sextet - Blue Soul 1959

Jazz 

Most jazz fans probably know Blue Mitchell as a member of Horace Silver's classic quintet that recorded numerous albums from 1959-63. Blue also recorded several excellent albums for Blue Note after his association with Silver, and for Riverside, including "Blue Soul," prior to and while he was with the Silver band. "Blue Soul" is almost a jazz throwback. At a time when most label's recordings were quickly thrown together jam sessions, "Blue Soul" was meticulously asembled. Not only does the album feature a stellar band of Jimmy Heath, Curtis Fuller, Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones and Philly Joe Jones, but Benny Golson was also brought on board to lend his arranging talents. The nine songs are all on the short side (reminiscent of the jazz from the late 40s when 10" vinyl limited lengthy improvisations), but don't confuse quantity (or length) with quality. Blue has a way with making it short and sweet, and even when Heath and Fuller sit out on three of the album's tracks, he holds down the fort just fine, particularly on the sultry "Park Avenue Petite." Anyone who loves good 50s jazz, and especially Horace Silver and the Jazztet, will love "Blue Soul."
By Michael B. Richman.
**
Listen to the opener of the album, "Minor Vamp". I'll bet you'll buy this record. And rightly so. It is fantastic fifties's jazz at its best. There's plenty of drive, enthusiasm, and the alchemy in this album is just right. Take a look at the frontline. Mitchell trumpet, Fuller trombone, Jimmy heath tenor. The rhythmn section is Wynton kelly and the Jones's. The arrangements are from Benny Golson's pen. This album has a lot of highlights. The opener, a fast "The way you look tonight", a wonderful ballad "Park avenue petit" with Blue's trumpet clearly affirming a bright and melodically rich solo with a wonderful sound. "Top shelf" is another fast tune with spectacular solos from the guys, happy and joyful fifties jazz. Another minor tune is "Waverley street", up tempo, not fast but "up" really nice. Then there's still time for a blues, "Blue soul" with a nice simple theme and some great lines from Mitchell, and a couple of standards, a ballad "Polka dots" and a minor bebop swinger "Nica's dream" taken a little slower than usual anyway. How beautiful is the polkadots theme played by Mitchell with the contrapunctual lines by Fuller! Really exceptional!!
Do you love Jazz? This one is a musthave.
By  Jazzcat.
**
Blue Mitchell- Trumpet
Curtis Fuller- Trombone
Jimmy Heath- Tenor Sax
Philly Joe Jones- Drums
Sam Jones- Bass
**
01. Minor Vamp
02. The Head
03. The Way You Look Tonight
04. Park Avenue Petite
05. Top Shelf
06. Waverly Street
07. Blue Soul
08. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
09. Nica's Dream
**
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Blue MITCHELL - A Sure Thing 1962

Blue MITCHELL - A Sure Thing 1962
Label: Ojc
Audio CD: (January 25, 1995)

Jazz

Mitchell (b. 13 March 1930) got his first break at 22 when he crashed a Lou
Donaldson session for Blue Note. Before the day was done, Mitchell had sat in on a
couple tunes, contributing a stately, rounded solo to the title cut on Donaldson’s
release If I Love Again. Then he joined John Coltrane and Benny Golson in the Earl
Bostic band – imagine those rehearsals!! – and toured with Sarah Vaughan.
Cannonball Adderly heard him in Miami in the late 50s and promptly arranged for
him to sign with Riverside. First, Mitchell worked on Adderly’s Portrait of
Cannonball, and then he made his first date as a leader, Big Six. In all, he made eight
records for Riverside; nearly half-a-century later they stand up nicely. The titles tend
to riff, predictably, on his adopted first name (he was born Richard), but this is
misleading, for his main currency wasn’t the blues. So, for example, on Blues on My
Mind, the highlights are “It Could Happen to You” and
“There Will Never Be Another You,” although the title track has a wonderful spare
passage in the middle of Mitchell’s solo that helps you realize that Mitchell’s mind
could turn plenty blue. If you want to pick one Riverside date, check out Blue’s
Moods, with a dream rhythm section of Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones, and Roy Brooks.
The quartet bops hard on a driving version of Charlie Parker’s “Scrapple from The
Apple,” and Mitchell casts an intensely contemplative mood on “Kinda Vague.” His
stripped-down variations on “When I Fall In Love” make it one of the surpassing
ballad recordings of the era. ***A Sure Thing, from 1962***, is an intriguing date, with
Mitchell leading a nonet with arrangements by Mitchell’s devoted friend, Jimmy
Heath, who has always professed an enduring fondness for the session. All the while,
Mitchell also held down the trumpet chair in Horace Silver’s hard-bop band, whose
recordings preserve Mitchell’s unfailingly precise intonation and his consummate taste,
even as he served as foil for Silver’s funky, diverse leanings.
By Fritz Byers.
**
Blue Mitchell- Trumpet
Clark Terry- Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Julius Watkins- French horn
Jerome Richardson- Alto sax, Flute
Jimmy Heath- Tenor sax
Pepper Adams- Baritone sax
Wynton Kelly- Piano
Sam Jones- Bass
Albert "Tootie" Heath- Drums
**
01. West Coast Blues (5:40)
02. I Can't Get Started With You (3:48)
03. Blue On Blue (4:48)
04. A Sure Thing (4:34)
05. Hootie Blues (5:24)
06. Hip To It (5:00)
07. Gone With The Wind (5:57)
**
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