Eddie Harris - Mean Greens '1966

Tracks list

Eddie Harris trademark chops and versatility are well showcased on this
respectable follow-up to Harris excellent Atlantic debut, The In Sound. Mean
Greens doesnt have a signature piece, like The In Sounds Freedom Jazz Dance, but
the program of mostly Harris originals is a satisfying set based around two
groups: one with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Billy
Higgins; the other with organist Sonny Philips, and Harris doubling on electric
piano.

Waltons steady piano vamp and the flowing swagger of the tenor solo on the title
track are suggestive of Freedom Jazz Dance, but overall, the track is straight
soul-jazz compared to the elongated, oddball melody of Harris classic piece. The
standard It Was a Very Good Year starts conventionally, but moves into a hard
bop space, with nice work from the rhythm section, and an example of the leaders
unusual altissimo range, which renders soprano sax sounds from Harris tenor. In
his early days, Harris made a point of learning the styles of tenor greats, from
Coleman Hawkins to Stan Getz. On Mean Greens, this skill is evidenced in Harris
flawless evocation of Sonny Rollins, on the Rollins-esque calypso Yeah Yeah
Yeah.

The three blues-based grooves, with the double-keyboard attack of organist
Phillips and Harris Fender Rhodes, have a fresh, distinctive, flavor, as
Phillips B-3 and the leaders electric piano weave together some savory funk and
blues.

Tracklist:
01 - Eddie Harris - Mean Greens (7:28)
02 - Eddie Harris - It Was a Very Good Year (5:10)
03 - Eddie Harris - Without You (3:04)
04 - Eddie Harris - Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (5:11)
05 - Eddie Harris - Listen Here (3:41)
06 - Eddie Harris - Blues in the Basement (8:10)
07 - Eddie Harris - Goin Home (6:47)

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