Booker Ervin's series of Song Books for Prestige Records announced the arrival of a jazz orator of gigantic stature. Ervin's tenor saxophone sound was haunted by the loneliness and spaciousness of the Texas plains where he was raised. But his style went beyond the classic Texas tenor tradition to incorporate the intricacies of bebop and some suggestions of free jazz.

• Limited Edition
• Analogue Productions Prestige Stereo Series
• 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl
• Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
• Cut from Original Analog Master Tapes
• Plated by Gary Salstrom
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings QRP USA
• Deluxe high-gloss tip-on album cover

Part of the ultimate audiophile Prestige stereo reissues from Analogue Productions — 25 of the most collectible, rarest, most audiophile-sounding Rudy Van Gelder recordings ever made. All mastered from the original analog master tapes by mastering maestro Kevin Gray. 180-gram LPs pressed at state-of -the-art plant Quality Record Pressings and plated by Gary Salstrom. Deep groove label pressings, tip-on jackets on thick cardboard stock.

Booker Ervin's recordings with Charles Mingus and Randy Weston brought him good reviews and a bit of notoriety. But it was his series of Song Books for Prestige Records that broadcast the stentorian announcement that a jazz orator of gigantic stature had arrived. Ervin's tenor saxophone sound was haunted by the loneliness and spaciousness of the Texas plains where he was raised. The Southwest moan was an integral part of his playing. But his style went beyond the classic Texas tenor tradition to incorporate the intricacies of bebop and suggestions of the free jazz that was initiating one of the periods of self-renewal that keeps jazz fresh and interesting. The Freedom Book, recorded at the end of 1963, was one of Ervin's masterpieces. He is abetted by the power and drive of Jaki Byard, Richard Davis, and Alan Dawson.

Musicians:

Booker Ervin, tenor sax
Jaki Byard, piano
Richard Davis, bass
Alan Dawson, drums

Track Listing:

Side A
1. A Lunar Tune
2. Cry Me Not
3. Grant's Stand

Side B
4. A Day To Mourn
5. Al's In

Click here to listen to samples on YouTube.com ♫