Frank Foster - Basie Is Our Boss (1963) {2013 Japan Jazz The Best Series 24-bit Remaster UCCU-9979}

Tracks have a nice rolling feel, and the group is very comfortable with each other. Foster's tone is excellent. “….this is a great, great record; a very swingin', soulful, and I dare say slightly modal side from the great sax man Frank Foster, long time sideman and musical director of the Count Basie organization. …..Foster has assembled a very competent and skillful support crew, mostly former and then current Basie sideman (which accounts for the title of the LP: 'Basie is Our Boss…) but he is also supported by a great favorite of this blog; the unheralded John Young on piano. Unusually for an Argo side, there are only 6 tracks on this LP, as Foster & company are given a rare opportunity to stretch out and tackle the material.

This LP pretty much disappeared after being released sometime in 1963. I did locate some Japanese documentation that promised a release in the mini LP CD format a few years back, but I don't think that ever materialized (big surprise…) So for outside collectors circles, this side has sat unlistened and forgotten for nearly four decades… Yes! Another ultimate Argo/Cadet rarity, as it has been pretty much impossible to find any contemporary documentation, reviews, release announcements about this…”

Personnel:
Frank Foster - tenor saxophone
Eric Dixon - flute & tenor saxophone
Al Aarons - trumpet
John Young - piano
Buddy Catlett - bass
Phil Thomas - drums

Recorded February 18 & 20 1963, RCA Studios, Chicago

tracklist:
01 - Vested Interest
02 - Why Try To Change Me Now
03 - May We
04 - Samba Blues
05 - Kelly Blue
06 - I've Got A Lot Of Living To Do