Requisites

My Conception ~ Sonny Clark | By Eddie Carter

Sonny Clark enters this morning’s spotlight with a 1959 recording session that remained in the vault for two decades. My Conception (Blue Note GXF 3056) is a 1979 release that came out first in Japan and later as a 2000 CD album in the US. Clark was one of the label’s house pianists, recording some of his finest albums as a leader. He also appeared on numerous releases as a sideman. Here, Sonny is leading a stellar quintet in a program of his original tunes. Donald Byrd on trumpet, Hank Mobley on tenor sax, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Blakey on drums. My copy is the 2021 Blue Note Tone Poet Series Stereo audiophile reissue (BST 22674).

Junka starts with the quintet’s upbeat melody. In the opening reading, Hank gets things going energetically, then Donald makes an impressive appearance. Sonny follows with a high-spirited statement next. Paul delivers a sparkling comment; then Art shares the last spot with the front line preceding the theme’s reprise. Blues Blue starts with the quintet’s danceable beat in the opening chorus. Mobley leads the way with an attractive reading, then Byrd comfortably swings into the next segment. Clark improvises the following message effectively, then Chambers’ inspired bass work comes. Blakey shares the final conversation with both horns ahead of the climax.

There’s nothing minor about the first side finale, Minor Meeting. Art calls the quintet together for their vivacious melody. Donald is off and running in the opening solo, then Hank soars to new heights in the following presentation. Sonny closes with a series of scintillating choruses leading to the finale. Side Two commences with Royal Flush, a toe-tapping medium groove that gets underway with the ensemble’s theme. Mobley goes to work first, followed by Clark’s thoroughly relaxed reading. Byrd is up next and is shown to good advantage, and Chambers takes the final stroll while Blakey keeps the beat into the quintet’s closing chorus.

The group enjoys Some Clark Bars next. After the group establishes the spirited melody, Hank leads the way in a terrific opening solo as tasty as the candy bar. Donald swings as hard in the following interpretation, and Sonny has a great turn in the third reading. Art finishes off the solos in a concise exchange, with the front line before the close. The title tune, My Conception, is a perfect example of Clark’s ability to compose a beautiful ballad. The rhythm section opens with a tender introduction until Mobley emerges to give an elegantly phrased theme and lead solo. Clark takes over to give a wonderfully warm statement, then Byrd concludes with a delicately expressed performance of soulful emotion.

Alfred Lion produced the initial session, and Rudy Van Gelder was the man behind the dials of the recording. Joe Harley supervised the audiophile reissue, and Kevin Gray remastered the album. The front and rear covers are high gloss, with great session photos inside the gatefold. The sound quality is sensational, with an exceptional soundstage. The instruments emerge from your speakers as if you’re in the studio with the musicians while they work. The record was pressed on 180-gram audiophile vinyl, and it’s incredibly quiet until the music starts. If you’re in the mood for Hard-Bop, I invite you to check out My Conception by Sonny Clark the next time you’re out vinyl shopping. Despite being unreleased for so many years, it’s a great album that was well worth the wait and a joy to listen to!

~ My Conception (Blue Note Connoisseur Series 7243 5 22674 2 2) – Source: Discogs.com © 2023 by Edward Thomas Carter

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,

© Notorious Jazz 2024