Johnny Otis’ DIG Records Jazz Series presents Modern Afro-American Jazz featuring many of the stars of the West Coast jazz scene Budy Collette, Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Hall, Curtis Counce, John Anderson and Gerald Wiggins. “Tanganyika” Produced by Sleepy Stein!   (1956)

A real lost slice of work from the career of Chico Hamilton — recorded for the short-lived Dig label, owned by R&B artist Johnny Otis in the mid 50s! The group here is slightly different than Hamilton’s quintet that recorded for Pacific Jazz — in that it’s got a sound that’s a bit less arranged, and which often opens up into some more freewheeling jazz styles at times. Buddy Collette and Jim Hall are on the session from Chico’s regular group — and Buddy’s really the co-leader of the set, and contributed some fantastic original tunes that are perfect for his colorful work on reeds. And the group’s also got Curtis Counce on bass and Gerald Wiggins on piano — bringing a decidedly heavier groove to the record than on most 50s Hamilton work — one that’s topped off by the trumpet of John Anderson, often muted but still powerful enough to make its presence known on the set. Titles include the Collette originals “It’s You”, “Green Dream”, “Jungle Pogo Stick”, “Tanganyika”, and “A Walk On The Veldt” — plus other session originals “And So Is Love”, “Wagnervous”, and “The Blindfold Test”.   – Dusty Groove

(15 votes, average: 3.73 out of 5)

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