Louis Hayes – Return of the Jazz Communicators (2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/48kHz]

Louis Hayes – Return of the Jazz Communicators (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:15:26 minutes | 924 MB | Genre: Jazz
Official Digital Download – Source: ProStudioMasters | @ Smoke Sessions Records
Recorded live at Smoke Jazz Club, New York City, November 16, 2013

DRUMMER LOUIS HAYES, one of the chief architects of modern jazz drumming, was the rhythmic drive for historic recordings by Horace Silver, Cannonball Adderley, Oscar Peterson, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, and McCoy Tyner. His playing has a rhythmic intensity that is as subtle as it is complex creating a musical feel and vibe on every track that is unmistakably Louis Hayes. When he reformed this band that he co-founded in the late ’60s with Freddie Hubbard and Joe Henderson—which Freddie dubbed the Jazz Communicators—Louis purposefully deviated from a conventional quintet lineup by featuring a vibraphone / tenor saxophone out front. It’s the esteemed pair of Steve Nelson and Abraham Burton, respectively, and their chemistry with Louis, pianist David Bryant and bassist Dezron Douglas makes The Return of the Jazz Communicators an inspired and rewarding set of music. The selections include a nice balance of standards and originals such as a ballad-feature for Nelson, Lush Life, and one for Burton, A Portrait of Jennie as well as the deep, loose groove of Mulgrew Miller’s Soul-Leo, which opens the record. Return of the Jazz Communicators captures this important jazz quintet in front of an enthusiastic and appreciative live audience. In the words of Louis Hayes, “I try to do what I do best and what makes me feel good…I guess I might as well keep on swinging. And, that’s basically what I’m going to do.” Return of the Jazz Communicators is available for purchase as a 8-panel CD-Deluxe Album complete with liner notes, interview and additional photos or as a high resolution download mastered for iTunes.

Much like what has happened with Smalls Records, the cottage industry that Smoke jazz club started when they debuted their own record label last fall has continued to grow into a viable commodity. So too, there is common ground to the look and feel of each release, even as the color scheme and the music itself changes. For the label’s 5th full release, they have documented a November 2013 set led by the mighty Detroit drummer Louis Hayes and his quintet.
As the story goes, the original Jazz Communicators were formed back in 1967 when Hayes put together a group featuring Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, and Kenny Barron. This new edition was formed out of Hayes’ desire to use the vibes in a quintet setting. It is fabulous to hear Steve Nelson in this ensemble, being that his recorded appearances are rare these days. A veteran of other Hayes ensembles over the years and another gifted musician we hear from too rarely, Abraham Burton first made a name for himself playing alto with Art Taylor back in the ’90s. Lately, he’s been heard on tenor and the tart sound he used to get on the smaller horn transfers exceedingly well to the bigger horn.
The set kicks off with Mulgrew Miller’s classic vibe tune, “Soul-Leo” and everyone seems to be inspired by a form that shifts between a straight eight feel for the verses and a bridge that goes into swing. That inspiration is also to be heard on the ballad numbers that feature both Nelson and Burton, the former on a classy rendering of “Lush Life” and the latter on a commanding version of “A Portrait of Jenny.”
The more upbeat numbers, like “Shape Shifting,” “Simple Pleasures,” and “Village Greene” hit a synergistic highpoint with Hayes at the helm, his large cymbal beat and crackling snare at the center of the vortex. It’s also worth noting how Hayes interjects his comments within the context of the melody on the Ernie Wilkins chestnut “Groovin’ for Nat.” Never too flashy, Hayes has honed his fills to the highest sense of musicality, and it’s this supportive role that makes him one of the drum legends.
Over the course of the album’s generous selection of twelve tracks, the contributions of pianist David Bryant and bassist Dezron Douglas are not to be underestimated. Bryant knows how to play with a vibraphonist, never getting in the way, but complementing what is happening chordally. As for Douglas, his solos are few, but he makes each one of them count.
Although Hayes has made many albums over the years as a leader, this one securely holds a place as one of his best. The live setting inspires his musical muse and his drums have never sounded better. –C. Andrew Hovan, All About Jazz

Tracklist:
1 Soul-Leo 08:08
2 Shape Shifting 06:58
3 Lush Life 08:57
4 Groovin’ for Nat 06:53
5 It’s to You 04:40
6 Without a Song 06:43
7 Simple Pleasure 05:18
8 Vagabond Ron 05:31
9 Portrait of Jennie 08:43
10 Lou’s Idea 07:29
11 Village Greene 06:13

Personnel:
Louis Hayes – drums
David Bryant – piano
Dezron Douglas – bass
Steve Nelson – vibraphone
Abraham Burton – tenor sax

Download:

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