Vinyl Find: Gene Ammons - The Black Cat [Prestige 10006]

Great retro sounding jazz LP from 1971.  Jazz was suffering an identity crisis at the time this was recorded and more soul, funk and blues sounds and grooves started to get incorporated.  This has all that and even some orchestral strings thrown in for good measure.  Don't let the strings put you off - they work well on "Long Long Time" but are pretty sappy on "Something", which was a poor choice of tune to cover in the first place.  Some really nice funky grooves on this LP though that get your foot tapping.

This is a really nice pressing on the green Prestige label.  Recording is very clear and open - no surprise with Rudy Van Gelder manning the board.  Great walking and grooving bass from Ron Carter with excellent comping from George Freeman on guitar and the underrated Harold Mabern on (primarily) electric piano.  Great grooves and hi-hat work from Idris Muhammad, especially on "Jug Eyes".  Big tone from Gene Ammons on tenor throughout.

LP - VG++
Sleeve VG
Price $5.

A very clean LP with minor surface noise which should be eliminated with a Spin Clean.

 All compositions by Gene Ammons except as indicated

1. "The Black Cat" - 5:36
2. "Long Long Time" (Gary White) - 4:31
3. "Piece to Keep Away Evil Spirits" - 7:49
4. "Jug Eyes" - 8:10
5. "Something" (George Harrison) - 3:20
6. "Hi Ruth!" - 5:08

• Recorded at Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on November 11, 1970