Eric Alexander Quartet – My Favorite Things (Vinil 180g, LP dublu)

This release by Eric Alexander is a real highlight: Venus Records asked the readers of Swing Journal what they would like to hear from Eric Alexander. From this long list of song requests, Alexander selected the tracks that appear on “My Favorite Things.” Many of the selected pieces are well-known jazz classics closely associated with the tenor saxophone greats of the past. These include “Sugar” by Stanley Turrentine, “Airegin” by Sonny Rollins, and “My Favorite Things,” made famous by John Coltrane. Alexander masters this demanding task with the confidence of an experienced musician. With his powerful, warm tone and unique phrasing, he makes each performance his own – while paying tribute to the great tenor saxophonists. “My Favorite Things” was recorded on September 5, 2007, at B.S.T. Studio in Tokyo and produced, mixed, and mastered by Tetsuo Hara.

American musician Eric Wells Alexander began playing the piano and clarinet at a very young age, and took up the alto saxophone at age twelve; however, while studying at Indiana University, he switched to the tenor saxophone and – after a classical training –  to jazz. He continued his studies at William Paterson College in New Jersey under Joe Lovano, Rufus Reid, and pianist Harold Mabern. In 1991, he placed second behind superstar Joshua Redman in the Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition and made his first recordings that same year with Charles Earland for Muse Records. Although John Coltrane had an obvious influence on his early sound, Alexander later developed his own style. Today, he is considered one of the best tenor saxophonists of his generation and has long been represented by Venus Records with numerous albums. 

“His turbocharged interpretation of Sonny Rollins’ ‘Airegin’ is fueled by his fiery rhythm section, while Hazeltine’s soulful, lush accompaniment provides the perfect backdrop for the leader on the moving ‘Lover Man.’”
(Ken Dryden, AllMusic)

Strictly limited double LP. The records are cut at 33 RPM and pressed on 180-gram Vinyl.

MUSICIANS

Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone
David Hazeltine: piano
John Webber: bass 
Joe Farnsworth: drums

Venus Records was founded in Japan in 1992 by Tetsuo Hara, who had previously worked as a producer for RCA Victor. The renowned label uses a special mastering process called “Hyper Magnum Sound,” which produces a powerful, dynamic sound and is highly regarded by audiophiles worldwide. A quick note: Venus LPs are pressed only once. Once the run is sold out, the title is removed from the catalog and will not be reissued. Collectors should therefore not wait too long to place their orders: the releases from the “Venus Masterpiece Collection” are extremely popular!

We recommend the use of „L’Art du Son” LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.

Lista pieselor

LP 1
Side A 
1. Sugar 
2. Triste 

Side B 
1. As Time Goes By 
2. Stella By Starlight 

LP 2

Side C 
1. Lover Man 
2. Lazy Bird 

Side D 
1. My Favorite Things 
2. Airegin