Kenny Burrell & Grover Washington jr - Togethering - Blue Note

American Audiophile

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This weeks trip to the local library yielded some more jazz gems and this one of them.

One of the great Blue Note albums produced.This is Kenny Burrell and Grover Washington Jr.,and is titled "Togethering".Released on Blue Note in 1985 and is catalog number B2-46093. Helen Keane, longtime Bill Evans producer along with the principals put this album together. Hence the title no doubt.

This is indeed a rare treat, as this was the only time these two giants ever recorded together and as such makes this a historic recording date.

The Selections are:

Soulero
Sails of Your Soul
Day Dream
A Beautiful Friendship
Togethering
Romance Dance
Asphalt Canyon Blues
What Am I Here For?

With Kenny and Grover on this album is Ron Carter on Bass, Jack DeJohnette on Drums, and Ralph McDonald on Percussion.

This is one great album and on the Blue Note label as well! Just by hearing this fantatsic LP one can easily imagine the great fun these two had as well as the sidemen. The performances are nothing short of spectacular and offer that rare insight into the artistry of these legendary jazz men.

In the early '70s, Kenny Burrell met Grover Washington, Jr. in Chicago where they jammed together at the Jazz Showcase, promising someday to get together and make a record. In 1984, well after Washington's massive commercial disco hit "Mr. Magic," the saxophonist had the inclination to do a straight-ahead jazz record, and reconnected with master guitarist Burrell to do this one-off project. Drummer Jack DeJohnette, bassist Ron Carter, and percussionist Ralph MacDonald joined the front men, the entire combo being CTI label refugees, to do this project for Blue Note records.

This turned out to be a most satisfying session, with few — if any — commercial concessions. Only standards, originals, and Brazilian-tinged tunes are played, with not a hint of rote funk or fusion as these players had produced a decade prior. Togethering is a great title in that many of the melodies are practiced and well rehearsed for Burrell and Washington to play in tandem. They strike an attractive sonic pose on the modern, airy Richard Evans tune "Soulero" that goes earthy and funky, a really good song with fine solos. The quirky and intriguing title track has the principals playing alongside each other, but diving off in angular degrees à la Thelonious Monk. Carter's deep soul hues during "Asphalt Canyon Blues" with Burrell's guitar tagging along also makes for interesting, non-standardized listening. There are two Duke Ellington offerings, including Burrell's popping sounds setting off the straight-ahead "What Am I Here For?," while the regretful ballad "Day Dream" has Washington's soprano all wistful and imaginary during this inspired, spatial take. The lone tune on tenor saxophone for Washington is "A Beautiful Friendship," and he assimilates the languid, relaxed tone of his first hero, Sonny Rollins.

If any purist mainstream jazz listeners ever had problems with these musicians going for a buck by putting more R&B into their music, all is forgiven with the issuance of this marvelous album, which is more of a showcase for their true colors and collective musicianship beyond their commercialized efforts. Burrell and Washington proved to be a fine pairing — a subtle, effective jazz partnership.
 

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