Reedições audiófilas fabulosas do catálogo Prestige pela Analogue Productions. As gravações mais procuradas, raras e com melhor som de Rudy Van Gelder. Todas masterizadas a partir das Fitas Master Originais Analógicas por Kevin Gray. Prensagem em vinil 180 gramas na Quality Record Pressings, com processamento de Gary Salstrom. Etiquetas Deep Groove, e capas estilo tip-on de cartão pesado.

• Edição Limitada
• Analogue Productions Prestige Mono Series
• Vinil Audiófilo 180 Gramas
• Masterizado por Kevin Gray na Cohearent Audio
• Corte a partir das Master Tapes Mono Analógicas Originais
• Acetatos preparados por Gary Salstrom
• Prensagem na Quality Record Pressings (QRP USA)
• Capa Deluxe "tip-on" com acabamento de alto brilho

Overshadowed throughout his life by his friends Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, Elmo Hope was a talented pianist and composer in his own right. He recorded in New York as a band leader (starting in 1953), and with greats Sonny Rollins, Lou Donaldson, Clifford Brown and Jackie McLean. But the loss of his cabaret card due to drug use made it difficult for him to make a living in New York. After touring with Chet Baker in 1957, Hope relocated to Los Angeles. He performed with Lionel Hampton in 1959, recorded with Harold Land and Curtis Counce, and returned to New York in 1961. A short prison sentence did little to help his drug problem; he died in May 1967.

Although the album is titled Informal Jazz, reality dictates that a good deal of thought and care went into the recording session. The dynamic drum and bass team of Philly Joe Jones and Paul Chambers is "hardly the kind of rhythm section playing heard at a jam session, except possibly in heaven," All Music Guide notes. And Hope’s solo spots are the best part of the record — "It is a stretch to imagine an ’informal’ recording session where even material as complicated as this is played."

Lastly, some of the most well-known and influential horn artists of the time make their presence known — tenor sax greats John Coltrane and Hank Mobley, as well as trumpeter Donald Byrd.

Músicos:

Elmo Hope, piano
Philly Joe Jones, bateria
Paul Chambers, baixo
John Coltrane, tenor sax
Donald Byrd, trompete
Hank Mobley, tenor sax

Lista de Faixas:

1. Weeja
2. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
3. On It
4. Avalon

Clique aqui para ouvir samples no YouTube.com ♫