Leo Parker – Rollin’ With Leo: Tone Poet (180g Vinyl LP)

All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP of Leo Parker’s Rollin’ With Leo: Blue Note Tone Poet Reissue Mastered From the Original Master Tapes by Kevin Gray and Pressed at RTI

Leo Parker was the first baritone saxophonist on the bebop scene and gained prominence in Billy Eckstine’s band as a member of the “Unholy Four” saxophone section that also included Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon, and Gene Ammons in the mid-1940s. Personal troubles sidelined Parker in the 1950s, but in 1961 he made a tragically brief comeback on Blue Note when he recorded two excellent sessions – Let Me Tell You ‘Bout It and Rollin’ With Leo – before he died of a heart attack just months later at age 36. Rollin’ With Leo had been prepared for release, including an album cover design by Reid Miles, but wound up being shelved and not released until 1980 as part of the LT Series. The 8-song set includes swinging Parker originals like “The Lion’s Roar” and “Jumpin’ Leo” performed by a band including Dave Burns on trumpet, Bill Swindell on tenor saxophone, Johnny Acea on piano, Stan Conover and Al Lucas on bass, and Wilbert Hogan and Purnell Rice on drums.

This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray (Cohearent Audio) from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.

Musicians:
Leo Parker – Baritone Saxophone
Bill Swindell – Tenor Saxophone
Dave Burns – Trumpet
Johnny Acea – Piano
Stan Conover – Bass
Al Lucas – Bass
Wilbert Hogan – Drums
Purnell Rice – Drums

Side A:

1. The Lion’s Roar
2. Bad Girl
3. Rollin’ With Leo
4. Music Hall Beat

Side B:

1. Jumpin’ Leo
2. Talkin’ The Blues
3. Stuffy
4. Mad Lad Returns