Tommy Flanagan Overseas (Mono)

Mono 180g Vinyl LP!
Mastered from the Original Analog Master Tapes by Kevin Gray!
Pressed at QRP!
When Tommy Flanagan toured Sweden with Jay Jay Johnson in 1957, he attracted the attention of Metronome Records, among others, with his skills. In the end, he held the contract for his first recording under his own name in his hands. While he was still touring with Johnson's quintet, Overseas was formed, supported by bassist Wilbur Little and Elvin Jones on drums. Later known as a "jazz poet", Flanagan captures his listeners with a remarkably ingratiating swing and his lyrical approach to music. No wonder he also played with Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and other greats over the course of his career.
When Jay Jay Johnson toured Sweden in the summer of 1957, his pianist, Tommy Flanagan, drew accolades. Flanagan's playing on Miles Davis' tunes such as "Vierd Blues," and "In Your Own Sweet Way" had made hipper Swedes already aware of his abilities.
Among these were executives for Metronome Records, and the result was Flanagan's first recording date under his own name, in Stockholm on Aug. 15, 1957. Flanagan later in his career became known as the "Jazz Poet," an artist whose consummate lyricism and remarkably smooth swing feel have long captivated listeners. Happily, the complex, pliant lines, the rhythmic snap, and that great taste in tunes were already in place when the Detroit-born, Bud Powell-influenced Flanagan arrived in New York in the late 1950s. No wonder he soon played and/or recorded with Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, J.J. Johnson, and others.
This choice album — Flanagan's first — was made in Sweden while the pianist was touring with Johnson's quintet, which included bassist Wilbur Little and drummer Elvin Jones. The appealing program boasts Billy Strayhorn's lulling "Chelsea Bridge," Charlie Parker's lively "Relaxin' at Camarillo," the crafty original "Eclypso" — part calypso, part swing — a blues, and two numbers dedicated to Swedish climes.

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• Mono
• Cut from the Analogue Masters by Kevin Gray
• Pressed by Quality Record Pressings
• Deluxe High-Gloss Tip-On Album Jacket

Musicians:

• Tommy Flanagan, piano
• Wilbur Little, bass
• Elvin Jones, drums

Selections:

1. Relaxin' At Camarillo
2. Chelsea Bridge
3. Eclypso
4. Beat's Up
5. Skal Brothers
6. Little Rock
7. Verdandi
8. Dalarna
9. Willow Weep For Me

Originally released in 1957.