Vinyl Records > Cannonball Adderley - In The Land Of HiFi

Mercury MG 36077
In The Land Of HiFi – Julian “Cannonball” Adderley (as), Nat Adderley (c), Danny Bank (bar), Jerome Richardson (ts, fl), Ernie Royal (tp), Jimmy Cleveland and Bobby Byrne (tb), Junior Mance (p), Keeter Betts (b), Charlie “Specs” Wright (dr)

Just a glance at the list of musicians participating in the recording session in June 1956 is enough to send the blood racing through your veins. But what is more, this recording fulfils all expectations and offers undiluted, swinging jazz of the very best order, the very best of its day! And yes, this disc would probably have a lot to offer even without the participation of Julian “Cannonball” Adderley – then right at the very beginning of his career – since all the musicians offer brilliant performances, and the arrangements are more than perfect, tailor-made as they were by Ernie Wilkens for the ten-man ensemble. Quite apart from the fact that the glorious music-making of this “condensed” big band offers an ideal background for “Cannonball’s” on the whole carefree, racy solo passages, the solo contributions from Jimmy Cleveland on the trombone, Jerome Richardson on the flute and of course Junior Mance on the piano are sheer joy. Not to forget “Cannonball’s” brother Nat Adderley – often left somewhat in the shadows – whose brilliance on the cornet is heard loud and clear on this recording.
Even before the time when “Cannonball” stood alongside Miles Davis at the beginning of the Sixties, all the musicians obviously had tremendous fun at the recording session. Be warned: such fun is infectious!

Recording: June 1956