Eric Dolphy & Booker Little
Far Cry

LA RECENSIONE

Here we are with this fantastic work by two of the most unfortunate jazz musicians of all time: Eric Dolphy and Booker Little, both having died prematurely before reaching their full potential (especially the latter). 

Here we find them together at the peak of their collaboration (Booker L. would die just 9 months later), supported and accompanied by Jaki Byard, Ron Carter, and Roy Haynes, no dried figs or watered-down mussels!

Let's be clear, we don't have the Dolphy of Out to launch here; rather, the saxophonist is still at the beginning of his experimental journey (which would continue with Mingus and Coltrane and then end due to a diabetic coma), delighting us with pieces rich in melody and others more free-form, alternating with the flute and bass clarinet.

Booker Little is fabulous as always (oh, if only he hadn't died at 23 from kidney failure..) confirming the expectations of the time that placed him among the most gifted heirs of Clifford Brown, certainly with more desire to experiment and take risks..

The two friends demonstrate their ability to play well together, well-tuned and clear-headed, a duo that, had fate allowed, could have created true masterpieces (but in the end, this is the story of Jazz: what could have been if..)

Among the best tracks are the two dedicated to Parker and the title track.

I think it's the ideal album for those who want to get to know Dolphy and Little and lament them...