Cannonball Adderley - 'Somethin' Else'

 

In March 1958, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley stepped into the studios of the legendary Rudy Van Gelder and produced what many consider to be the finest record of his career, 'Somethin' Else'.  This album was recorded just before Adderley joined forces with Miles Davis for the 'Kind of Blue' sessions.

With its iconic Reid Miles designed cover, and with a photo by Frank Wolff, this is quintessential Blue Note.

As Billboard Magazine said in October 1958 in its review of the LP:

"Here’s one of the outstanding jazz sets released in the past few months and perhaps one of the best of the year.  It features some truly fine, sensitive trumpet work by Miles Davis, and at times, some of the best work yet waxed by Cannonball Adderley. Both ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ‘Love for Sale’ are handed superb treatments by Davis, and Adderley shines with his solo on ‘Dancing in the Dark.’ An album that will be important to all jazz fans."

Throughout the album, Cannonball and Miles seem to be engaged in their own private conversation, one that we are privileged to be allowed to hear.  The stand-out tracks for most listeners is "Autumn Leaves" and "Love For Sale", what’s so gratifying about both numbers, is that neither song sounds like a simple rehash or reworking.  If you want to know what makes Cannonball such a master, just listen to “Dancing In The Dark”; all it needs are strings, and you’d swear it was Charlie Parker.

It's an understatement to say that Miles Davis did not record as a sideman for just anyone.  Indeed, the number of occasions after 1950 when the trumpeter consented to uplift another musician's record can be counted on a single hand.  However, Cannonball Adderley was not simply another musician.  He was a sensation when he debuted in New York in 1955.  Cannonball's exceptional technique and innovative ideas were matched by his jubilant sound, which was always filled with joy and excitement.  After leading a very enjoyable and commercially successful quintet during 1955-57, he became a member of the Miles Davis Sextet, playing next to John Coltrane.  Cannonball would have phenomenal success with his own quintet in 1959, but he was already one of the greatest jazz musicians when he recorded his lone Blue Note album, 'Somethin' Else' in 1958.

The Players:
Cannonball Adderley on alto saxophone
Miles Davis on trumpet
Hank Jones on piano
Sam Jones on bass
Art Blakey on drums

The Album was produced by Alfred Lion, and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder  

The freeload (24bit/ 88.2khz) is the 2009 reissue by Analogue Productions; an SACD Hybrid, with wonderful sonics. 
This is the digital version you should have.

Julian Adderley's original nickname was "Cannibal" due to his voracious appetite.  Cannonball's friend who who gave him the nickname pronounced it as "can-i-bol", and over time, it morphed into "Cannonball."

For the freeload, give me a nickname.