Monumental one-off session by pianist Bill Evans and sax blower Stan Getz, without question two of the finest to ever touch their respective instruments in the history of jazz. Both artists specialize in that moody, late night, cigarette burning in an ashtray on top of the piano sort of jazz. You don’t really get a sense of the civil and social unrest that defined the 60s for most of the jazz greats, but that’s okay. Sometimes you just want to feel like all is right in the world and you’ve got an endless supply of money, heroin and nice clothes... Stan and Bill are your guys. Recorded in 1963 but not released until 1974 and out of print ever since; highlights include “But Beautiful,” “Grandfather’s Waltz” and Cole Porter’s “Night And Day.” Produced by Creed Taylor at Rudy Van Gelder’s Studio in New Jersey, features support from Elvin Jones on drums; Ron Carter and Rich Davis share bass duties. High-quality Acoustic Sounds edition cut from the original analog tapes, recommended.

• 180g black vinyl pressing
• Acoustic Sounds edition remastered from original analog tapes
• housed in tip-on gatefold sleeve w/ liner notes
• limited edition
• featuring Stan Getz (t. sax), Bill Evans (p), Ron Carter (b), Richard Davis (b), Elvin Jones (d)
• original release year: 1974 (recorded 1963)
• music label: Verve 2024

reviewed by nick nightingale 03/2019