Originally released in 1962, jazz multi-instrumentalist Yusef Lateef’s “Eastern Sounds” fuses hard bop with middle eastern music as he is joined by Barry Harris on piano alongside Ernie Farrow (double bass, rabaab) and Lex Humphries (drums). This reissue features remastered audio from the original master tapes and is available on 192/24 hi res digital.

Release as part of newly relaunched Original Jazz Classic series the recording features: Yusef Lateef (flute, oboe, tenor sax, xun), Barry Harris (piano), Ernie Farrow (double bass, rabaab) and Lex Humphries (drums).

Yusef Lateef was the hard-blowing tenor who greatly expanded his stylistic menu by exploring Asian and Middle Eastern rhythms, instruments, and concepts.

Side A:
1. The Plum Blossom
2. Blues For The Orient
3. Ching Miau
4. Don’t Blame Me

Side B:
5. Love Theme From Spartacus
6. Snafu
7. Purple Flower
8. Love Theme From Robe
9. The Three Faces Of Balal

Simply put, this is a richly mellow recording, having good sound quality throughout and has always been one of my go-to favorites for an evenings listening pleasure.

Indeed, the recording has a warm, laid back feel which is complemented by the lightness and delicacy of the piano and percussion, in my humble opinion.

Widely acknowledged as one of the crowning glories of Yusef Lateef’s career, and it is easy to see why. An eastern influence permeates much of the material, but it is no gimmick, of that you have my word.

Lateef made a study of exotic scales and he knew how to use them without it sounding in the least bit contrived. The eclecticism of both the tunes and the instrumentation (Lateef plays the Chinese globular flute on one track and an oboe on another) works because of a clear unity of purpose which is apparent throughout the album. Because the accessibility is balanced against innovation and the result is immensely rewarding.

Indeed, it was about this time (1961) a number of musicians showed an interest in Japanese music ie: Horace Silver, Dave Brubeck, and even Thelonious Monk used some concepts of Chinese music in there orchestrations.

The first track involves a gadget known as the aforementioned Chinese Globular Flute, an instrument rather like an ocarina, and with just a five note scale! Limiting? Yes, but Lateef manages an impressive tune and also subtly improvises too, that’s just how good this man was.

Features:
All-analog mastering from the original tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI
Presented in Tip-On Jacket with Obi

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