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Every person to whom I’ve recommended ‘Little Johnny C’ has fallen under its spell. Johnny Coles had a long, distinguished career as sideman (Dolphy, Mingus, Ray Charles Orchestra) though only a couple of sessions as a leader. Well if you’re only gonna take a couple of shots at top billing, go big or go home. In this case, he went HUGE. This record is a flat out burner and under-recognized classic overseen by Coles and pianist Duke Pearson (who handled all the arrangements and wrote five of the six tunes). You’ve also got young—but already mighty—Joe Henderson on tenor sax, and not-heard-enough altoist Leo Parker as well, who largely serves as a melodic foil to Henderson. Bob Cranshaw serves as master of the low end, and drums duties are split between Walter Perkins and Pete LaRoca. Coles has a trumpet tone that tugs on your heartstrings, and a style that delivers emotive lines in a thoughtful, often understated way. Credit to Pearson for knowing his players well—the writing and arranging makes maximum use of the team in a balanced way rather than as a springboard for pyrotechnics, and the results are striking. Get familiar with this record. It gets under your skin in all the right ways. Music Matters 33 pressing sounds FANTASTIC. #johnnycoles #dukepearson #joehenderson #leoparker #bobcranshaw #petelaroca

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