Rare And Obscure Argo Recordings (XII)

Lem Winchester

And

The Ramsey Lewis Trio

Perform A Tribute To Clifford Brown

This out of print LP, Lem Winchester's first as a leader, matches his vibes with the early Ramsey Lewis Trio on a tribute to the late trumpeter Clifford Brown. They perform two of Brownie's best compositions ("Joy Spring" and "Sandu"), four standards (including "Jordu"), the obscure "A Message from Boysie", and Winchester's "Where It Is". A good example of Ramsey Lewis' original piano style, the little-known set is actually excellent and would be easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans if it could be found. *Scott Yanow*

This edition contains the complete long out of print LP Perform A Tribute To Clifford Brown (Argo LP 642), originally issued under the name of vibraphonist Lem Winchester. A former policeman in Wilmington (where he met Clifford Brown), Winchester died in 1961, at the age of 32, due to a tragic gun accident. This set, consisting of tunes either composed, favored by or dedicated to Clifford Brown, was to be Winchester's only recorded collaboration with pianist Ramsey Lewis and his regular trio, which included Eldee Young on bass and Isaac "Red" Holt on drums.*jazzmessengers.com*

One of the few albums ever cut by vibist Lem Winchester — a hip talent from the soul jazz generation, but one who left our planet all too soon! Here, Lem plays vibes with backing from the Ramsey Lewis trio — excellent rhythm work from Eldee Young on bass and Red Holt on drums — plus lyrical piano that blends nicely with the vibes, almost in a Jack Wilson/Roy Ayers sort of mode! Tracks include "Joy Spring", "Jordu", "Sandu", "Message From Boysie", and "Where It Is", an original by Winchester.  *Dusty Groove, Inc.*

1 - Joy Spring

(Clifford Brown)

2 - Where It Is

(Lem Winchester)

3 - Sandu

(Clifford Brown)

4 - Once In A While

(Michael Edwards, Bud Green)

5 - Jordu

(Duke Jordan)

6 - It Could Happen To You

(Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke)

7 - Easy To Love

(Cole Porter)

08 - A Message From Boysie

(Robert Lowery)

Lem Winchester (vibes), Ramsey Lewis (piano),

Eldee Young (bass), Red Holt (drums).

Recorded in Chicago, Illinois, October 8, 1958.