Sam Jones - Right Down Front

AllMusic Review by Jim Todd  [-]

For this compilation of small big-band performances, bassist Sam Jones -- long recognized for his ability to anchor and swing a session -- reliably grounds a collection of arrangements that have an affinity with the Count Basie Band's early-'60s book. The tracks are from three LPs that Jones recorded between 1960 and 1962, during his tenure with Cannonball Adderley's group. With the bassist are various Adderley bandmembers, including Cannonball himself, his brother Nat, drummer Louis Hayes, and pianists Bobby Timmons and Joe Zawinul. They are joined by likeminded hard boppers, such as tenor player Jimmy Heath and trumpeter Blue Mitchell. When Jones does step into the spotlight it is on the cello, which he plays on five of the 11 tracks. He has abundant facility on the smaller instrument, the equal of any of its practitioners from Oscar Pettiford to Ron Carter. That said, his tone, possibly due to the recording, is frequently dry and percussive. The warm, resonant cello work on "'Round Midnight" is an exception to this situation. The tracks with Jones on bass, discreetly taking charge from within the rhythm section, are the more satisfying performances. Highlights include a ten-piece setting for Miles Davis' "Four" and the only Jones original on the set, "Unit 7," a track he recorded with the Adderley band. A few more of the leader's pieces would have been welcome, as Jones is a talented writer as well as an exceptional bassist.

Sam Jones
Right Down Front
A1 Some Kinda Mean 5:49 A2 There Is No Greater Love 3:39 A3 Home 5:12 A4 The Old Country 6:06 B1 Four 4:23 B2 Blue Bird 4:11 B3 Unit 7 4:48 B4 Come Rain Or Shine 4:05 B5 'Round Midnight 5:31

Alto Saxophone – Frank Strozier (# B3 to B4), Nat Adderley (# B1 to B2) Arranged By – Ernie Wilkins (# B3 to B4) Art Direction – Phil Carroll Baritone Saxophone – Charles Davis (# A1 to A4), Tate Houston (# B1 to B2) Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Pat Patrick (# B3 to B4) Bass – Israel Crosby (# B5), Keter Betts (# A1 to A2, B4), Ron Carter (# B4), Sam Jones (# A3 to A4, B2 to B3) Cello – Sam Jones (# A1 to A2, B1, B5) Cornet – Nat Adderley (# A1 to A2) Drums – Ben Riley (# B3 to B4), Louis Hayes (# A1 to B2), Vernell Fournier (# B5) Engineer – Ed Powell (# B3 to B5), Jack Higgins (# A1 to A4), Ray Fowler (# B1 to B5) Guitar – Keter Betts (# B2), Les Spann (# B1, B5) Mastered By – Phil De Lancie Photography By – Steve Schapiro Piano – Bobby Timmons (# A1 to A4), Joe Zawinul (# B3, B5), Victor Feldman (# B1),Wynton Kelly (# B4) Recorded By [Digitally Rerecorded (1988) By] – Joe Tarantino Supervised By – Orrin Keepnews Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath (# A1 to B2) Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland (# B3 to B4), Melba Liston (# B1 to B2) Trumpet – Blue Mitchell (# A3 to A4, B3 to B4), Clark Terry (# B4), Snooky Young (# B3) Vibraphone – Victor Feldman (# B2) 1960 "Soul Society" on Riverside Records ‎12-324 (Tracks A1 to A4) recorded March 8+9, 1960 1961 "The Chant" on Riverside Records ‎RLP 9358 (B1 to B2) recorded January 13+26, 1961 1962 "Down Home" on Riverside Records RLP 432 (B3 to B5) recorded August 15 & June 25, 1962