Description
Mastering by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at Acoustech Mastering
Double LP cut at 45 RPM and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings!
Stoughton Printing Old Style Tip-On gatefold jacket with scuff-resistant matte finish
Ready yourselves, jazz aficionados, for modal piano brilliance, Bill Evans style! Released in 1977, Bill Evans Quintessence, has the maestro diving headfirst into a lush, melodic hornscape an elegant, smoky surprise.
Lets start with the man himself. By 1977, Bill Evans was less of a pianist and more of a philosopher with 88 keys. His technique? Still gentle, still whispery, still capable of melting diamonds. But here, he brings his lyrical poetry into a new context: a quintet. Thats right not just his beloved trio format, but a quintet, people.
No safety net. No piano bench to hide behind. Just sheer harmonic magic.
The Evans dream team of supporting players was a stellar lineup. Starting with Harold Land (tenor sax) The West Coast legend whose tone is so smooth it could pass as jazz-flavored gelato. Warm, reflective, and the perfect foil to Evans crystalline touch. Next, theres Kenny Burrell (guitar). Playing with such subtlety youd swear he was painting chords with a sable brush. Never flashy, always perfect. On bass, Ray Brown The anchor of jazz itself. You want groove? Hell give you groove. You want soul? Hes got that in spades too. And on drums, Philly Joe Jones. Because if youre gonna swing, you call the guy who made Miles Davis band sweat.
Together, they form a unit so tight its basically a telepathic jazz circle. Theyre not just supporting Bill theyre expanding him!
Whats On the Menu?
Sweet Dulcinea A tune that proves you dont need to play fast to say something profound.
Bass Face Ray Brown gets the spotlight, and boy does he shine.
Martina A waltz so beautiful it should come with a warning label: may cause reflective gazing into middle distance.
Second Time Around A standard for an album thats all about elegance, subtle swing, and refined musicianship.
A Child Is Born The kind of rendition that makes you think maybe the world isnt so bad after all.
So why add Quintessence to your collection?
Because this is Bill Evans unplugged from the trio comfort zone, letting his lush harmonic sensibilities dance with top-tier horn players and rhythm gods. This album is meditative but never sleepy, introspective but never self-indulgent. Its rich, warm, and brimming with the quiet confidence of a master stretching his wings just because he can.
This reissue brims with superior quality. Mastering by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at Acoustech Mastering, double LP cut at 45 RPM and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings! Plus its housed in a Stoughton Printing Old Style Tip-On gatefold jacket with scuff-resistant matte finish.
Bottom line, if your jazz collection is missing Quintessence, its like owning a Picasso with a blank corner. This is the kind of record that sneaks up on you not flashy, but unforgettable. Go ahead. You deserve this kind of quintet magic.
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