Track Listing

1. Housed from Edward
2. Nearness of You
3. Three Little Words
4. Makin' Whoopee
5. U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group)
6. Gutbucket Steepy
7. Doxy
8. Makin' Whoopee (Reprise)
9. Peace
10. Random Abstract (Tain's Rampage)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #118897 in Music
• Released on: 1989-05-26
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
For his fifth album as a leader, Branford Marsalis showcased his own playing in a trio setting, and rose to the occasion with a performance that placed him among the elite practitioners of saxophone playing. Marsalis is front and center throughout, backed by the thoughtful, blues-savvy support of venerable bassist Milt Hinton and drummer/sidekick Jeff "Tain" Watts. "Housed from Edward," blues inspired by Duke Ellington, sets the tone with a full-throated presentation. Marsalis goes on to explore the tonal range of his instrument in the magnificently structured solo that runs through "The Nearness of You," frolics through "Three Little Words," and handles the standards "Makin' Whoopee" and "Stardust" expertly. Bassist Delbert Felix replaces Hinton for tributes to Sonny Rollins ("Doxy"), Ornette Coleman ("Peace"), and the set-closing burnout "Random Abstract (Tain's Rampage)." --John Swenson

Customer Reviews

Melody
This is one of my favorite CDs. Even though I have been listening to this recording for almost 10 years, the music always presents itself as exciting and refreshing. The focal point of this CD is the melody, as oppose to style or technique. The strength of Branford's sax is reinforced and magnified via the other 2 band members. What made this recording even more enjoyable is the liveness of the sound. This CD is a definite recommend, not only for jazz fans, but for all music fans!

Trio Jeepy - audiophile favorite
The three previous reviews all tell the tale that this is indeed a very special jazz album. It is. 14 years later I'm amazed at how frequently I return to it, again and again and again.
This is a note to the audiophiles out there. You MUST own this one. Sonically as spectacular as anything recorded these days. If your system is up to it, the blast from Branford on "Three Little Words" will set you back in your chair as if he's right in the room with you.
Rarely does an album merit marks of excellence for both performance and sonics, but this one does in spades.
And yes, I'll spare you the CD versus record debate for another time ;-)

brilliant
Occasionally, a musician comes on the scene who possesses the talent and courage to break the timeless tradition set way back by his elders. In jazz the tradition goes something like this... If the headman is a saxophonist his group usually features a pianist, bassist, drummer, and the occasional trumpeter. The order of the song is usually arranged thusly; head, sax solo, piano solo, bass solo, fours traded with drums, head. Now contrast that with Branford's rendition of Three Little Words found on Trio Jeepy, which implements uses of a sax and bass only. A false start begins the cut, followed by a heated argument on the favored chord changes(of which Branford wins). Branford angrily starts the head, which more closely resembles an elaborate, melodic solo rather than the classic melody, with a loud, piercing note. The late Milt Hinton is then allowed to showcase his superb musicianship on his playful, wood sounding walking bass solo (which are generally regarded by bassists). Finally, Branford rounds out the piece with his melodic solo, reminisant of his version of St. Thomas. The solos in this piece are brilliant, in the same category as So What, Giant Steps, and Maiden Voyage(in my opinion). I'm aware of the overuse of this line, but I'll say it anyways..."The song alone justifies the price of the album".

The powerful drum stylings of Jeffery "Tain" Watts are added to the other cuts, of which the sententious, soothing Nearness of You and the relaxed Makin' Whoopee are the most memorable. Trio Jeepy is a brilliant, awe inspired jazz masterpiece, and what I consider to be Branford's best work.

God Bless.