Somethin' Else (Rudy Van Gelder Edition)

Well, this is everything jazz should be, in this novice listener's opinion. Subdued in the right places, swinging in others, the supergroup Adderley put together for this album is simply astounding. Miles Davis and Adderley take center stage, but Hank Jones has some quality moments, and Sam Jones and Art Blakey provide a steady, if subdued, backbeat. I'd like to hear Blakey a little louder in the mix, but that's a small quibble.

The album may be a bit too conservative for those with particularly experimental tastes, nothing truly innovative seems to be going on here, but everything is in its proper place and is a wonderful starting point for those interested in exploring a burgeoning jazz infatuation, like myself.

Pure Jazz. For a remastered album it is as brilliant as when first heard it in 1959, only more refined and as excellent as it always was, Miles Davis should share all the credits with Cannonball Adderley as without his input, this album would not be as good as it is. Hank, Art & Sam also have a large input, but Cannonball & Miles shine through in an excellent example of good Jazz.

Conventional wisdom holds that this is a Miles Davis album, and that is pretty much right - it's an album led by Miles Davis, under Cannonball Adderley's name, set up to showcase the altoist who had just joined Davis's band. You can hear plenty of fine playing by Cannonball, but it's in Davis's world - the earthiness of many later Cannonball recordings isn't present.

The similarities are particularly obvious on the classic interpretation of "Autumn Leaves" and the Davis original "Somethin' Else". "Love for Sale" was recorded under Davis's leadership 3 months later, with Cannonball present, and it's interesting to compare the two approaches. (I prefer the Davis version, but they are both superb.)

Some people go further and compare this album to Kind of Blue. Yes, there are some similarities, particularly in the mood, but the "cerebralness" of the later album is largely absent on Somethin' Else. Hank Jones and Art Blakey have a very different, more conservative feel than Bill Evans and Jimmy Cobb. And the funky "One for Daddy-O", a Nat original and the one tune that really screams "Cannonball Adderley album!", wouldn't really fit in on a Davis album, much less Kind of Blue.

Overall a great album, and essential for most jazz fans.

If anyone ever wanted to know what Julian Cannonball Adderly is all about, go no further than track one of this album. He leaves it all on the table on Autumn Leaves. His solo there is so intense and emotion filled that it leaves you breathless.

Miles takes a back seat to Cannonball, but not because its Cannonball's gig, but because Cannonball's playing has no end to its emotional depth. It is a cliché to say it, but it is simply something else, period. And Hank Jones piano playing cannot be improved upon. It is exquisitely precise and the chords he drops makes the spine tingle. This is a good album, period.

Fifty stars

a brilliant cd,with an allstar cast of musicians on this session.this has been a mainstay jazz recording in the annals of jazz music,since it's release,in 1958.wonderful tracks on here,great playing from miles davis,who plays with a mute on this recording.cannonball adderly,never sounded better.this is one of the greatest jazz albums ever produced,so do yourself a favor,and go out and grab this one.