Originally released on CD in 1988, this extremely rare and sought out recording makes it's debut on vinyl with a limited edition pressing of 1500. The debut album from one of Canada's most important bassists, Neil Swainson has played with George Shearing, Diana Krall and countless others. This recording features tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson and trumpeter Woody Shaw. The album was Woody Shaw's last studio recording. The album contains one bonus track not available on the original CD that will be available on a download card. The album package will feature new artwork, photos, interview and liner notes.
REVIEW
Bassist Neil Swainson is known more as an accompanist (most notably with George Shearing) than as a bandleader, and this was his first opportunity to head his own recording date. Swainson was able to secure the services of both trumpeter Woody Shaw (on his final studio session just two years before his death) and tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, in addition to a couple of Toronto-based musicians: pianist Gary Williamson and drummer Jerry Fuller. Swainson, who has long had impressive technique and a beautiful tone, performs five of his originals, plus Henderson's ''Homestretch.'' Overall, this is an underrated, high-quality advanced hard bop date worth exploring.
Scott Yanow --AllMusic Review
JazzTimes Year in Review: The 10 Best Historical Recordings of 2020 Our critics vote on the year's top reissues and vault discoveries
Coming in at #8
With an archival jazz release, you need the backstory. The Real to Reel label is diligent about backstories. In 1987, Neil Swainson, a first-call bassist on the Toronto jazz scene, made an ambitious plan for his first (and to date only) album as a leader: Hire trumpeter Woody Shaw (with whom Swainson had gigged) and tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson (whom he had never met). Use reliable, familiar Canadians in the rhythm section (pianist Gary Williamson, drummer Jerry Fuller). Write some tunes with openings for bass solos.
It came together on May 2 and 3, 1987, at Studio 306 in Toronto. Henderson was a no-show on May 2. (He was famous for such behavior.) He appears on four of the seven tracks. All seven are terrific. The CD came out on the Concord label in 1988. This re-release on CD, LP, and download has one new track, ''Labyrinth.''
Shaw was functionally blind at the time of the recording. (He would be dead two years later, at 44.) He could not see to read music and had to learn the tunes by rote. He plays his ass off. From his first fanfare and flourish on the opening title track, he commands attention. Every solo he takes is full of soaring songs within songs.
On the pieces with both horns, Henderson solos first. He always veers away from the centers of Swainson's compositions (which are interesting and intelligent) and plays the edges. The high point is the only ballad, ''Don't Hurt Yourself.'' Swainson gives it entirely to Henderson, who meanders around in it for almost nine minutes. He sounds voluptuous yet casual, as if he's been playing the tune his whole life. In fact, Swainson showed it to him on piano in the studio, right before the first and only take.
Thomas Conrad --JazzTimes January 2021