Rare And Obscure Argo Recordings (III)

King Fleming Trio

Stand By

"I know there are a lot of good talented piano players around but they all sound the same to me".

I have heard that particular comment a number of times and, on occasions, have agreed. However, I feel that those talents should always be given some sort of a chance to be exposed or listened to and, of course, finally judged by the public. It is true that some of these people, or talents, are tucked away in a string of small local lounges, but they still have a chance to develop a following, which can be of great assistance as a stepping stone to their first recording session. When it does come, the artist, in most cases, is wise in his selection of tunes. In this particular collection, the above mentioned is quite evident. 

King Fleming offers you a variety program, including: modern jazz, blues, ballads, afro-jazz and latin music. I might add here that King has a great amount of patience and works very well with vocalists, providing them with arrangements and the proper amount of accompaniment. He is a well rounded musician, composer and arranger.

The main objective in this album was to have something for everyone. This has been accomplished with the supporting efforts of drummer Royce Rowan, who studied at the Roy Knapp School of Music (Royce, also holds a B.A. in music) and has worked with Miles Davis, the late Billy Holiday, Wardell Gray and Charlie Parker. Also tugging the load is Malachi Favors, the bass player. He too has had the pleasure of performing with some of the big ones, such as drummers: Art Blakey and Philly Jo Jones, which he considers invaluable experience.

You'll find in this album a considerable amount of interesting, clever and pleasureable moments of listening. I hope that this album will serve as another stepping stone to success for King Fleming. He's a hard worker with a deep appreciation for music, talent and friends, and most important, he knows their values. *Burt Burdeen" (liner notes).

Incredible work from Chicago pianist King Fleming – a lost talent that had a key influence on more famous players in the scene, but who rarely got his due because he hardly left the Windy City! The set's got a really incredible feel – partly in the gentle groove of Ahmad Jamal, but also with one ear towards the more righteous rhythms that were coming into piano jazz during the 60s. A key element of the strength of the set is work in the trio by bassist Malachi Favors – working here years before his time with the Art Ensemble Of Chicago – and the set's also graced by some wonderful originals that show Fleming to be a heck of a great writer as well as musician! Titles include "Time Out", "Stand By", "On Green Dolphin Street", "Song Of Paradise", "Between The Toes", and "Lonely One". *Dusty Groove, Inc.*

Side 1

1 - Time Out

(King Fleming)

2 - On Green Dolphin Street

(Washington, Kaper)

3 - I Didn't Know What Time It Was

(Rodgers, Hart)

4 - Stand By (part 1)

(King Fleming)

5 - Then I'll Be Tired Of You

(Harburg, Schwartz)

Side 2

6 - Junction City Blues

(King Fleming)

7 - Song Of Paradise

(King Fleming)

8 - Stand By (part 2)

(King Fleming)

9 - Lonely One

(King Fleming)

10 - Gypsy In My Soul

(Clay, Moe)

11 - Between The Toes

(King Fleming)

King Fleming (piano), Malachi Favors (bass), Royce Rowan (drums),

Charles Stepney (vibes [#1, #6]), Unidentified males (african percussions and voices [#8]).

Recorded at Ter-Mar Recording Studios, Chicago, Illinois, March 2 (#1 to #8, #10)

and March 9 (#9, #11), 1962.