Product Code: ZMU980295491
Original price was: $41.99.$25.19Current price is: $25.19.TAS Rated 4/5 Music, 4.5/5 Sonics in the April 2020 Issue of The Absolute Sound!
"Massey only made one recording as a leader, and some say this was a result of his militant politics. Blues To Coltrane was recorded in 1961 but only released in 1987 (the same fate befell several other outstanding dates when Candid ceased operations in 196). Massey assembled an excellent sextet for the occasion that included well known artists (Jimmy Garrision, Julius Watkins) as well as lesser-knowns (Hugh Brodie, G.T. Hogan). Of particular interest is the presence of Patti Bown, an always interesting pianist who worked with Quincy Jones and Gene Ammons, among others (her name, unfortunately 'corrected' to 'Brown' on this otherwise superb reissue). Everyone contributes solid soloing to the excellent, all-Massey program, and the group feeling is terrific." - Duck Baker, The Absolute Sound Magazine, April 2020
In examining Masseys life and music, three names continually emerge. One is that of the great tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, whom Massey met as a teenager in Philadelphia and who remained a close friend until his death in 1967. After Coltranes passing, Massey frequently joined forces with saxophonist, poet, and playwright Archie Shepp; though Shepp was about ten years Masseys junior, the two developed a bond that remained close for the rest of the older mans life. Massey, Coltrane, and Shepp are all linked by the prolific but obscure composer and arranger Romulus Franceschini, who lent his hand to many important jazz projects, such as Coltranes Africa/Brass and Shepps Attica Blues. He maintained with Massey a symbiotic relationship not unlike that of Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington. On the whole, as in the case of Ellington and Strayhorn, it was difficult to tell where one musicians contribution ended and the others began.
