In the Beginning...Bebop

AMG Review of In the Beginning...Bebop

Jim Todd
All Music Guide

Trumpeter Fats Navarro is, in fact, only one of three leaders on the sessions compiled on this release. The CD's 12 tracks are actually divided into four from a 1947 Kai Winding date, four from a 1948 Brew Moore outing, and Navarro's tracks from 1946. The three dates share the unpretentious attitude of Savoy sessions from this period – the era predating the intelligentsia's co-opting of bop.

The Winding and Moore sessions feature, respectively, the cool-toned tenors of Allen Eager and Moore, who were both part of Woody Herman's Four Brothers tenor sax lineup. The Winding tracks are similar to the music of Winding's frequent co-trombonist partner, J. J. Johnson, although Eager's legato mooing doesn't generate the sparks that the young Sonny Rollins did on Johnson's Savoy sessions from this period. The tracks with Moore capture some unremarkable, easy-swinging, cool school bop. Pianist Gene DiNovi is the main point of interest.

Although Navarro's best work would come shortly after his set here, the trumpeter's tracks– thanks to the barking tenor of Eddie Lockjaw Davis–are the hottest tunes on the compilation. In addition to Davis's storming solos, the highlights include the pioneering electric guitar of Huey Long, whose sustaining, slightly distorted tone provides a distinctive flavor to Navarro's rhythm section, which also includes pianist Al Haig.