Hampton Hawes Trio
Here And Now
Contemporary Records/King Records (Japan) 1977
GXC-3161 (LP) w/obi, insert.
sleeve : EX(very slightly color-faded)
media : EX/EX(some slightly noise)
A piano trio album recorded by Hampton Hawes for Contemporary. The repertoire centers on familiar standards such as “Fly Me to the Moon,” “The Girl from Ipanema,” and “Days of Wine and Roses,” but the playing never slips into easy-listening territory. Hawes’ crisp touch and naturally propulsive sense of swing keep the entire session taut and lively. On “The Girl from Ipanema,” the soft contours of bossa nova are preserved while the piano remains unmistakably bright and jazz-driven. “Chim Chim Cher-ee” is given a playful arrangement that views the charming melody from a slightly off-center angle, while “Days of Wine and Roses” highlights Hawes’ lyrical phrasing and sensitive use of space. The bright, dry, open sound characteristic of Contemporary recordings is another major attraction, creating an immediate sense of ease from the moment the needle drops. Japanese pressing released by King Records in 1997. Includes obi and insert.
A3: The Girl from Ipanema
B4: Days of Wine and Roses