ESSENCE
(Pacific Jazz ST-55/PJ-55 © 1962)

TRACK LISTING
Johnny-Come-Lately (Duke Ellington)
Slow Space
Ostinato
Donkey (Carla Bley)
Form
Angel Eyes (Dennis-Brent)
Irony
Lover (Rodgers-Hart)

PERSONNEL
Don Ellis - trumpet; Paul Bley - piano; Gary Peacock - bass; Nick Martinis, Gene Stone - drums

REVIEW
I FINALLY found a flawless copy of this album in Philadephia. The "rarest of all Don Ellis sessions" according to AMG. It hasn't been reissued since its initial release in 1962, which is a shame because the music (like all of Don's small group recordings) is highly impressive.

Essence was recorded shortly after Don's arrival in California, and the album, in Don's words, "is patterned along the lines of a set I might play in a club." One tune that caught my attention was "Ostinato" because it foreshadows the sound of Don's early orchestra recordings (it even features two drummers). Not surprising since his next album was in fact Monterey, but the tune was written in 1957 (!!!) which shows you where his mind was at even back then. Don's other originals are also quite modern-sounding, and, like most of his albums, he tries to explain in the liner notes what you're hearing in each song. Carla Bley's "Donkey" features the always innovative Paul Bley (the Bleys were married at the time). "Lover" is taken at break-neck tempo, and we have an earlier reworking of Don's favorite standard, "Angel Eyes." Both of those tracks can be heard on the Giants of Jazz release, along with "Johnny Come Lately" and "Form."

A quote from Don in the liner notes: "There is nothing in the universe which is not the rightful working material of the artist." Amen, brother!

The cover on the lower left is the European pressing of the album. Thanks to Hans from The Netherlands for sending me the image.