Kenny Dorham Quintet

What an odd item this is, superbly crafted and very in-your-face trumpet solos against a rhythm section so unobtrusive, they are really just providing a backdrop. Tenor and baritone sax player Jimmy Heath gets in a couple of solo statements, and drummer Kenny Clarke does some nice work, but this is Dorham's show all-the-way. (The bonus tracks even add a couple of samples of Dorham's other talent, as a boyish-voiced blues singer.) I particularly like Dorham's lovingly knowing exposition of the theme from Monk's "Ruby My Dear" with an original prelude and coda added. (You can tell Dorham "gets" Monk but that pianist Walter Bishop, at this point anyway, doesn't.) Far from essential, Kenny Dorham Quintet is unique enough to intrigue and probably would be of particular interest to other trumpet players. If, like me, you're a fan of Dorham's Afro-Cuban album, made the following year, you'll enjoy hearing this more stripped-down bop-and-ballads set.

As a trumpet player with the 8th Army Band in Seoul, Korea, back in 1969, I used to enjoy listening to records in late evenings. This is one of those that made lack of sleep and difficulty waking for roll call worthwhile. I like that it includes two tracks of several tunes. "Ruby, My Dear" and "Darn That Dream" are favorites. Miles Smiles; but Kenny sings.