1958 Benny Golson Sextet “The Modern Touch” on Riverside

Ultra tight and grooving modal Post Bop from the unassailable composer, arranger, and tenor, Mr. Golson. As usual, his gravitational genius attracts stellar talent, and often in provocative ways: on this date only Wynton Kelley, J.J. Johnson, Max Roach, Paul Chambers, and Kenny Dorham! Well, there’s three Golson numbers, two Grice, and the inevitable Johnny Mercer for the Gumar in the back seat on Friday nights. It goes without saying that this is sophisticated, graceful, and impeccable music. I think the true genius of straight jazz composition is to find at root a gutbucket groove and then through nuance and subtle complexity turn it sublime. My sense is that Benny, at least amongst purported modernists, is seen among contemporary jazz neophytes as something of a square. No album covers with strung out Benny smoking Winstons behind a pool hall! But it could not be further than the truth, because the man is speaking truth, which comes from a rock-solid foundation in both theory and style. Top Action, and big spins for the whole family over at Castle Wax.