Sal Nistico: Heavyweights / Comin' On Up / Terry Gibbs:It's Time We Met auf 2 CDs

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When Sal Nistico (1938-1991) recorded his first two albums as a leader for Jazzland in 1961 and Riverside 1962, he had already impressed as a richly inventive, neo-bop tenor with tremendous drive, time and technique in the Mangione Brothers band. These qualities are abundantly clear on these albums, both quintet sessions; the first, “Heavyweights,” with all-star sidemen Nat Adderley, Barry Harris, Sam Jones, and Walter Perkins; the second, “Comin’ On Up,” with two little known but talented jazzmen, trumpeter Sal Amico and drummer Vinnie Ruggiero.

Blisteringly hot and imaginative at uptempos, he is equally eloquent and compelling on ballads. His strength and forcefulness won him further acclaim after he joined Woody Herman’s band in 1962. Herman’s nonpareil Pierce-Andrus-Hanna rhythm section, with the veteran guitarist Turk Van Lake added, backs Nistico and vibist Terry Gibbs on “It’s Time We Met,” a spirited blowing session recorded about a year later under Gibbs’ leadership for Mainstream. Gibbs wrote all the simple riff tunes for the date, which also gave a rare opportunity to hear Nat Pierce on organ.

Apart from his uptempo inventiveness and thoughtful, unsentimental ballad playing, Nistico’s superb technique was brilliantly articulated. The combination made him one of the finest-ever saxophone soloists.

Featuring: Nat Adderley (cnt), Sal Amico (tp), Sal Nistico (ts), Barry Harris (p), Terry Gibbs (vib), Turk Van Lake (g), Sam Jones, Bob Cranshaw, Charlie Andrus (b), Walter Perkins, Vinnie Ruggiero, Jake Hanna (d)

(freshsoundrecords. com)