Ellington, Duke - Ellington Uptown Exp) (RSD 2021)

Ellington, Duke - Ellington Uptown Exp) (RSD 2021)Even back in the early 50s, Columbia Records took Duke Ellington seriously enough to place this album on its prestigious Masterworks label, heretofore reserved mostly for highbrow classical music and Broadway shows. Also, this LP explodes the critical line that the early 50s was a relatively fallow period for the Duke; any of these smoking, concert length tracks will torpedo that notion. The young Louis Bellson was powering the Ellington band at that

4 Chrome Waves

” the show’s setlist mixes new songs (“Judgement Day” and “Poundcake”) with songs from 5150 and OU812 (“Best Of Both Worlds” and “Finish What Ya Started”)

Quiet Nights is a mix of situations and sources: Brazilian folk ("Prenda Minha"

and imagination

The album was released on A&M Records and was Soundgarden's last official release for 13 years

as indicated by the arrow

In the rich history of Texas country music

the gorgeous melodies-but it's a richer

Andean pipes

and new artwork by illustrator Edwin Fotheringham

Produced by James Ford

carry that unmistakable YLT sound-but delivered in service of another great work of art