Out Of The Cool

Description

From the opening maracas and subsequent introduction of each instrument on La Nevada, its clear that this is a very, very special recording. At its best, the musicians are spread out and solidly anchored in place in the listening room. The soundstage is positively huge and instrumental tonality is exceptional. Myles B. Astor, Positive Feedback Online, Issue 49
Out of the Cool, recorded in 1962, stands as Evans grandest achievement, apart from his finest works with Miles Davis fronting the orchestra (Sketches of Spain, Miles Ahead), and its one of the first of Kassems Impulse! 45 releasesVan Gelder did his part with the mikes; and Kassems remasters do theirs with the cutting lathe. Their 45rpm stereo pressing sounds at least as good in the highs and lows, better than the original, and thats saying a lot. Fred Kaplan, Stereophile

Out of the Cool, perhaps even more than his collaborations with Miles Davis, spotlights Gil Evans brilliance as a writer and arrangerThe results are lovely, sometimes cerebral jazz meditations, and the soundstage is expansive, with soloists firmly rooted within; the musicians unfurl ribbons of fabulously layered tone colors, and the recording captures the orchestras terrific dynamic range. Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, June/July 2009

A groundbreaking jazz recording by the longtime Miles Davis collaborator Gil Evans highlights the latters supreme and influential skills as a jazz orchestrator. This album is a brilliant example of Evans ability to make a large orchestra sound like a smaller jazz combo using orchestrations that infuse the larger unit with the immediacy and spontaneity of the smaller. Out Of The Cool features some of Evans finest compositions, including the famous La Nevada as well as a magnificent performance of George Russells Sratosphunk. Soloists include Budd Johnson (tenor), Johnny Coles (trumpet), Ray Crawford (guitar), Elvin Jones (drums), Ron Carter (bass) and Jimmy Knepper (trombone). The ensemble is superbly recorded by the legendary Rudy Van Gelder. A must-have for all lovers of jazz.

Originally released in 1960.
Gil Evans, piano
Billy Ray Barber, tuba
Raymond Beckenstein, flute, piccolo, alto saxophone
Eddie Caine, flute, piccolo, alto saxophone
Ron Carter, bass, trombone
Johnny Coles, trumpet
Ray Crawford, guitar
Budd Johnson, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
Keg Johnson, trombone
Elvin Jones, percussion, drums
Jimmy Knepper, trombone
Charlie Persip, percussion, drums
Tony Studd, trombone
Phil Sunkel, trumpet
Bob Tricarico, flute, bassoon, piccolo