West Coast Sessions! Vol.6: Shelly Manne

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In 1979, Japanese label Atlas struck a deal with cool jazz icon Art Pepper to record a series of dates showcasing some of his fellow West Coast acolytes. Due in part to an existing contract with another label, the saxophonist opted to skirt legal troubles and record the sessions under the auspices that he was a featured guest, rather than the album headliner. Originally released in 1981 as Hollywood All-Star Sessions: Shelly Manne & His West Coast Friends, the 2017 Atlas reissue Art Pepper Presents West Coast Sessions, Vol. 6: Shelly Manne features Pepper alongside drummer Shelly Manne, trombonist Bill Watrous, tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper, pianist Pete Jolly, and bassist Monty Budwig. As with the other Atlas reissues, here we get period photos and new liner notes via the series producer, Pepper's then-wife and manager Laurie Pepper. Although known for his association with the cool jazz sound of '50s West Coast jazz, Pepper (who infamously spent time in prison throughout much of the '60s on drug charges) had matured into an aggressive, adventurous performer by the time these Atlas recordings were made. Thankfully, this dichotomy is part of what makes the Atlas dates so appealing. Essentially a loose blowing session, here we get the saxophonist digging into a batch of well-worn standards from a breezy, and (thanks to Watrous) counterpoint-heavy take on "Just Friends" to the swaggeringly earthy slow blues of "Hollywood Jam Blues" and an uncharacteristically fleet-footed reading of "Lover Come Back to Me." Also particularly engaging is the group's languid, half-lidded take on the ballad "These Foolish Things," which aches with a yearning, noir-ish romanticism. Drummer Manne ably grounds the session with his adept percussion accents and impeccable swing feel. It's also fascinating to listen to the contrast between Cooper's warmly burnished melodicism and Pepper's increasingly kinetic, yet still lyrical flow. Sadly, Pepper died several months after these sessions, making his prodigal return to his West Coast roots that much more poignant. ~ Matt Collar