Frank WESS - Flute Of The Loom 1973

Frank WESS - Flute Of The Loom 1973
ENS-5006

Jazz

Frank Wess tries to join the funky flute crowd of the 70's by joining forces with a Muscle Shoals group of rhythm players to reach a deep Stax-like instrumental sound. It almost works, but not entirely, because the overall sound is pretty soft. The record's nice and cheap, so you can decide for yourself how the session came out. Tracks include "Arundelle", "You Are Everything", "Flowers", and "I Know What's On Your Mind".
From Dusty Groove.
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Wess’s two Enterprise albums is a less comfortable mix than the previous album of orchestrated jazz (not present earlier) with some all-out funk. This one is also said to have originated in Memphis, and much of it may very well have been recorded at the same time as the first album. Here, Wess contributes more of his own compositions and Chico O’Farrill, Jimmy Roach and Rudy Robinson are listed as providing the varying arrangements. The album is more overtly orchestral than before and the program isn’t as seemingly familiar as the previous Wess album. But the orchestral embellishments which pervade the record, while never particularly obtrusive, are not really necessary or that pleasing either. While Wess displays his typical prowess throughout, not too much of interest results. Curiously, despite the album’s not-too-flattering pun, Wess reverts to sax on three numbers, his own “Arundelle,” the variously titled “Flowers”/”Fading Flowers” and the standard, “When I Fall In Love.” Again, none of the participating musicians are named but a guitarist is nicely featured on Wess’s “Trezia” and “Arundelle” and vibes are heard to solo on “Wade in the Water.” The highlights here are more minimal than before and include “Get on Board (The Train Is Coming),” the funky “Wade in the Water” (which would fit perfectly on Wess To Memphis) and “I Know What’s On Your Mind,” with expert string and horn work that Gary McFarland would have provided had he lived that long and thumping great Chuck Rainey-like bass work. It just goes to show that great playing, which Frank Wess delivers in spades here, does not necessarily add up to a great album, which is something Flute of the Loom is not.
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Frank Wess- (Flute, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax),
Ted Dunbar- (Guitar),
and
Don Davis, Chico O'Farrill, Jimmy Roach, Rudy Robinson
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A1 Get on Board (The Train Is Coming)  
A2 Red Roses  
A3 Trezia  
A4 Arundelle  
A5 When I Fall in Love  
B1 Wade in the Water (Traditional)  
B2 You Are Everything  
B3 Flowers  
B4 I Know What's on Your Mind  
B5 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
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Frank WESS - Trombones And Flute 1956

Frank WESS - Trombones And Flute 1956

Jazz

One of the first major jazz flutists, Frank Wess has also been a top Lester Young-influenced tenorman, an expert first altoist, and an occasional composer/arranger -- certainly a valuable man to have around. Early on he toured with Blanche Calloway, served in the military, and had stints with Billy Eckstine Orchestra (1946), Eddie Heywood, Lucky Millinder, and R&B star Bull Moose Jackson. That was all just a prelude to Wess' important period with Count Basie's big band, from 1953-1964. His flute playing, so expertly utilized in Neal Hefti's arrangements, gave the Basie Orchestra a fresh new sound, and his cool-toned tenor contrasted well with the more passionate sound of fellow tenor Frank Foster; Wess also had opportunities to play alto with the classic big band. Since that time, Wess has freelanced in countless settings, playing with Clark Terry's big band, the New York Quartet (with Roland Hanna) during the second half of the 1970s, Dameronia (1981-1985), and Toshiko Akiyoshi's big band, and has also had occasional reunions with Frank Foster. Frank Wess has led sessions for Commodore (1954), Savoy, Prestige, Moodsville, Pablo (with Foster), Progressive, Uptown, Concord, and Town Crier.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
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Jimmy Cleveland- (Trombone),
Freddie Green- (Guitar),
Ronnell Bright- (Piano),
Ed Jones- (Bass),
Kenny Clarke- (Drums),
Henry Coker- (Trombone),
Bill Hughes- (Trombone),
Benny Powell- (Trombone),
Frank Wess- (Flute),
Eddie Jones- (Bass),
Bennie Powell- (Trombone).
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01.Lo-Fi (Frank Foster Frank Wess) (9:14)
02.Wanting You (Sigmund Romberg, Oscar Hammerstein II Frank Wess) (4:28)
03.Don't Blame Me (Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields Frank Wess) (3:23)
04.Cracker Jack (Henry Coker Frank Wess) (9:59)
05.You'll Do (Frank Foster Frank Wess) (5:23)
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Frank WESS - The Frank Wess Quartet 1960

Frank WESS - The Frank Wess Quartet 1960
Label: Fantasy

Jazz

Frank Wess has long been one of the most underrated flautists in jazz, but it's his primary instrument on this CD reissue of a Moodsville LP recorded in 1960. With fine accompaniment by piano master Tommy Flanagan, bassist Eddie Jones and drummer Bobby Donaldson, the leader's lyrical chops are evident in Alec Wilder's rarely performed ballad "It's So Peaceful in the Country." The light Latin setting of "Star Eyes" initially spotlights Flanagan's elegant piano, with the rhythm switching gears as Wess works his magic on flute. Flanagan alone introduces the dreamy interpretation of "But Beautiful," while Wess will melt any heart with his gorgeous flute solo. Wess is best known for his swinging tenor saxophone, heard on the richly textured "Gone With the Wind," a spacious "Stella by Starlight" (which will rival any saxophonist's recording for pure beauty), as well as his bluesy original "Rainy Afternoon," with Donaldson's light percussion possibly suggesting stepping in sidewalk puddles or windshield wipers clearing intermittent precipitation. Highly recommended.
By Ken Dryden, All Music Guide.
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Frank Wess- Flute, Tenor Saxophone
Tommy Flanagan- Piano
Eddie Jones- Bass
Bobby Donaldson- Drums
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01. It's so Peaceful in the Country (4:01)
02. Rainy Afternoon (8:26)
03. Star Eyes (3:54)
04. Stella by Starlight (5:10)
05. But Beautiful (4:36)
06. Gone with the Wind (5:46)
07. I See Your Face Before Me (6:05)
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