Gerald Wilson – Moment of Truth: Blue Note Tone Poet Series (180g Vinyl LP)

All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP of Gerald Wilson’s Moment of Truth Mastered from the Original Master Tapes by Kevin Gray & Pressed at RTI: Reference-Caliber Blue Note Reissue Helmed by Music Matters’ Joe Harley

Born in Mississippi, Gerald Wilson spent formative years in Detroit before launching a celebrated career as a trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. After moving to Los Angeles, Wilson signed with Pacific Jazz and in 1961 began a decade-long run of spectacular recordings including 1962’s Moment of Truth. The action-packed 9-song set (including 7 originals) is a showcase for Wilson’s many strengths as he uses the vibrant colors his dynamic big band to paint a variety of musical scenes including the swaggering blues of the title track, the irrepressible Latin groove of “Viva Tirado,” a fleet-footed version of “Milestones” by Miles Davis, and the evocative textures of “Teri” featuring Joe Pass on guitar. Other notable members of the ensemble include trumpeter Carmell Jones, trombonist Lou Blackburn, alto saxophonist Bud Shank, tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Jack Wilson, and drummer Mel Lewis.

1. Viva Tirado
2. Moment Of Truth
3. Patterns
4. Teri
5. Nancy Joe
6. Milestones
7. Latino
8. Josefina
9. Emerge