Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges: Back To Back (LP)

Alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges repeatedly pursued solo paths throughout his career, only to return to Duke Ellington's band each time. Even though this procedure was old hat by the time Back To Back was recorded in 1959, there seems to have been a constant tension between Ellington and Hodges. Perhaps the blues classics chosen were just the right neutral ground for the two musicians' complicated relationship. A platform on which Ellington's unique piano playing can come to the fore and Hodge's irrepressible sensuality has free rein. The two are accompanied by none other than Harry "Sweets" Edison, Les Spann, Al Hall, Sam Jones and Jo Jones Jones and Jo Jones. This recording is part of a series of 25 Verve re-issues on Analogue Productions. The original analog tapes are being re-edited at Sterling Sound in New York by senior mastering engineer George Marino. Many of the tapes had only been sent to other labels as copies for decades, but Sterling Sound works so closely with Universal Music, the company that owns the Verve label, that they occasionally make an exception. The hybrid SACDs sound excellent and clearly outshine early digitizations. Alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges often went solo during his career, only to return to Duke Ellington's band each time. Critic Michael Ullman suggested that the blues classics chosen for this program provided a neutral ground on which Ellington's playing could come to the fore and Hodges' could give free rein to his unbridled sensuality. This is one of the best small-group records Ellington ever made - a perfectly integrated set of music that really makes the blues swing. Verve Acoustic Sounds Series: completely analog mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original tapes, QPR pressing (180 g), sturdy tip-on gatefold (Stoughton Printing), padded inner sleeve, gatefold sleeve