Randy Weston - African Cookbook (1964)

1. Berkshire Blues
2. Portait Of Vivian
3. Willie's Tune
4. Niger Mambo (Bobby Benson)
5. African Cookbook
6. Congolese Children
7. Blues For Five Reasons

Randy Weston - piano
Booker Ervin - tenor sax
Ray Copeland - trumpet & flugelhorn
Vishnu Wood - bass
Lenny McBrowne - drums
Big Black - conga drums
Sir Harold Murray - percussion

Randy Weston plays celeste on Congolese Children.
The vocal on Comgolese Children is by Big Black.

When African Cookbook was recorded in 1964, pianist Randy Weston had no luck interesting any label to release the music, so he came out with it independently on his tiny Bakton company. In 1972, Atlantic released the performances. It is surprising that no company in the mid-'60s signed Weston, because "Willie's Tune," from this set, had the potential to catch on, and "Berkshire Blues" is somewhat well-known and the mixture of accessible bop with African rhythms overall is appealing. Trumpeter Ray Copeland was responsible for the arrangements while Weston contributed all but one of the songs. Copeland and the great tenor Booker Ervin have their share of solo space, bassist Vishnu Wood and drummer Lenny McBrowne are fine in support, and on three numbers the percussion of Big Black and Sir Harold Murray are added; Big Black also sings on "Congolese Children." An excellent outing. ---Scott Yanow, Rovi

Here’s an album that was recorded in NOLA Studios, New York City on October of the year 1964 by Randy Weston. It should be in any Jazz fan’s collection. It was originally released as an LP album under another name, “Randy.” Randy Weston had to produce it on his own independent label named Bakton basically because there was no interest. It was released later in 1972 and with the title “African Cookbook.” Why, I have no idea! It doesn’t matter either because the songs are the same, great and cannot be avoided, enjoy! I will be featuring the whole album, check the schedule link for play times. --- Jose Reyes, jazzconclass.com

download (mp3 @320 kbs):

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