Duke Ellington - The Cosmic Scene (MCD-1001)

The whimsical title for this 1958 Ellington album comes from the launch of the first American satellite, not an intention to head in Sun Ra's direction. What makes this small group session unique is that it has a big sound to it. It features three soloists: Clark Terry on fluegelhorn, Paul Gonsalves on tenor sax and Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet. The rhythm section is Ellington, Jimmy Woode and Sam Woodyard. The larger ensemble feel is derived from adding Ellington's three trombonists in a strictly supportive, arranged role.

The repertoire is equal parts Ellingtonia and outside material. Arrangers Ellington and Hamilton fashion their own fresh, unique approach to classic material like Avalon and Ralph Burns' Early Autumn. The Ellington material ranges from Take The A Train and a boppish reworking of Perdido to new compositions like Jones and Spacemen. With the advent of the LP, the occasional Ellington small group session gave deserving soloists the room to stretch out. And none were more deserving in the 1958 band than Hamilton, Gonsalves and Terry, all of whom acquit themselves with remarkably consistent excellence throughout. Special mention must go to Paul Gonsalves' astonishing workout on Body And Soul, rivaled perhaps only by the famous Coleman Hawkins and Serge Chaloff versions. This version begins with a beautiful ballad statement, follow by three blistering choruses of invention during which the tenor man's ideas seem to snowball from one into the next, quoting Drumboogie, Peanut Vendor, Raymond Scott's Powerhouse and Hail To The Queen along the way. We've also included the previously unissued first take of this tune as well with a very different interpretation of the melody on the first chorus and another great solo.