The Roach-Brown quintet started its tragically short run in the beginning of 1954. The first formation included – in addition to Max and Brownie – tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, bassist George Bledsoe and pianist Carl Perkins. This group was only recorded once, during a concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in April 1954. Shortly after, Edwards, Perkins and Bledsoe left the group for different reasons, and it was necessary for Max and Clifford to get new musicians. The piano and bass chairs were soon filled by pianist Richie Powell (Bud Powell’s younger brother) and bassist George Morrow, and Harold Land was chosen as the tenor player. Land was forced to return to Los Angeles for family reasons at the tail end of 1955, which set the stage for the young Sonny Rollins to take his place. Rollins’ style proved a perfect fit for the group’s extraordinary balance between fast tunes (and we mean really fast!) and delicate, romantic, ballads, all combined with careful arrangements (mostly written by pianist Richie Powell). However, this fantastic formation was destined to end in tragedy, for in the early morning hours of June 26, 1956, Clifford Brown died in a car accident (at the age of 25) along with pianist Richie Powell and his wife. All of the originally issued studio master takes by the quintet, as well as the alternate takes are contained on this CD. The dates contained here are considered essential jazz classics, not only for the amazing trumpet playing, but also for the overwhelming interaction and understanding between Brownie and Roach, and between all the members of the band as a whole.
- 1 -
1. Delilah 8:07
2. Darn That Dream 4:04
3. Parisian Thoroughfare 7:19
4. Jordu 7:45
5. Sweet Clifford 6:42
6. Sweet Clifford [Alt Tk, Incomplete] 1:48
7. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance [Alt Tk] 3:03
8. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance 7:21
9. Stompin' At the Savoy 6:26
10. I Get a Kick Out of You 7:39
11. I Get a Kick Out of You [Alt Tk] 8:31
12. I'll String Along With You 4:11
13. These Foolish Things 3:40
- 2 -
1. Joy Spring [Alt Tk] 6:47
2. Joy Spring 6:57
3. Mildama [Alt Tk 1] 3:41
4. Mildama [Alt Tk 2] 3:27
5. Mildama [Alt Tk 3] 3:58
6. Mildama [Alt Tk 4] 4:04
7. Mildama [Alt Tk 5] 2:17
8. Mildama [Alt Tk 6] 3:56
9. Mildama 4:32
10. Daahoud 4:04
11. Daahoud [Alt Tk] 4:07
12. Gerkin For Perkin 2:57
13. Take the "A" Train 4:19
14. Lands End [Alt Tk] 3:08
15. Lands End 4:57
16. Swingin' 2:53
17. George's Dilemma 5:36
18. If I Love Again 3:22
19. What Am I Here For 3:07
- 3 -
1. The Blues Walk [Alt Tk] 6:47
2. The Blues Walk 6:51
3. Cherokee 5:43
4. Jacqui 5:11
5. Sandu 4:56
6. Gertrude's Bounce 4:13
7. Step Lightly (Junior's Arrival) 3:36
8. Powell's Prances 3:30
9. I'll Remember April 9:18
10. I'll Remember April [Alt Tk 1 Incomplete] 1:29
11. I'll Remember April [Alt Tk 2] 9:40
12. Time 5:08
13. The Scene is Clean 6:07
14. Flossie Lou [Rehearsal] 5:44
- 4 -
1. Flossie Lou [Alt Tk 1] 4:52
2. Flossie Lou [Alt Tk 2] 4:04
3. Flossie Lou [Alt Tk 3] 3:30
4. Flossie Lou 3:59
5. What is This Thing Called Love? [Alt Tk] 8:37
6. What is This Thing Called Love? 7:40
7. Love is a Many Splendored Thing [Alt Tk, Incomplete] 0:48
8. Love is a Many Splendored Thing [Alt Tk] 3:52
9. Love is a Many Splendored Thing 4:16
10. Valse Hot 8:38
11. Kiss and Run 7:10
12. I Feel a Song Comin' On 5:14
13. Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep 2:30
14. Pent-Up House 8:53
