Kenny Dorham Matador

Kenny Dorham Matador on All-Analog HQ-180g Vinyl LP from Impex: Mastered by Chris Bellman from the Original Analog Master Tapes, Pressed at RTI, and Highly Rated by the High-End Press

Working with a soulful Jackie McLean on alto, a loose and swinging Bobby Timmons on piano, and the locked-in rhythm section of Teddy Smith on bass and J.C. Moses on drums, trumpeter Kenny Dorham leads playing that is spontaneous, energetic and expressive on Matador. Recorded in a single day in 1962, it contains the sprawling epic McLean-penned "Melanie" (a suite in three parts), as well as Dorham's smoldering "El Matador" and a stirring take on "Beautiful Love". Throughout the session, Timmons, Smith, and Moses provide sublime support while Dorham and McLean trade sinewy solos. Emotional musical exploration ties to readily approachable post-bop structure that make for a snappy, yet heady, mix of tunes that put a tap in your foot while engaging your head and heart.

Chris Bellman cut Matador from the original analog master tape and the sound is revelatory. Tight acoustics of the Soundmaker Studios provide tightened bass, crystal-clear drums and beautifully rounded tones from Dorham's and McLean's horns.

"Mastered from the original analog tapes by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, impeccably pressed, and housed in a beautifully crafted, ribbed paper stock tip-on jacket that's faithful to the original, the sound is lively and present, with great dynamic energy, excellent tonality, a wide stereo spread, a fine sense of the venue's space, and pillows of air around the instruments. Excellent, and a most welcome title."
—Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound

"Nearly as dazzling as any classic from Miles, while the sound is up there with Kind Of Blue."
—Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News

"The late, underrated but great recording engineer Bill Schwartau delivers superb sound here putting Timmons in the left channel, Moses and Smith in the right and Dorham and McLean center stage eerily in three-dimensions. Chris Bellman cut this release using the original analog master tape and the sound is outstanding."
—Michael Fremer, Tracking Angle

Musicians:
Kenny Dorham, trumpet
Jackie McLean, alto saxophone
Bobby Timmons, piano
Teddy Smith, bass
J.C. Moses, drums