The Thing To Do (Remaster) Blue Mitchell

• 1Fungii Mama07:46
• 2Mona's Mood05:17
• 3The Thing To Do07:06
• 4Step Lightly10:25
• 5Chick's Tune09:36
• Total Runtime40:10

Info for The Thing To Do (Remaster)

Trumpeter Blue Mitchell is often overlooked, despite the fact that he was a highly gifted jazz improviser. Hopefully, this 2004 remastering will set the record straight about Mitchell's legacy. Featuring a young Chick Corea on piano, and tenor saxophonist Junior Cook (best known for his work with Horace Silver), „The Thing To Do“ stands out as one of Mitchell's finest albums.

Mitchell's group is tight yet relaxed, and each musician swings with authority throughout. This record features the premiere of "Fungii Mama," a Caribbean-influenced tune that, to this day, remains Mitchell's best-known composition. This is followed by two hard-grooving Jimmy Heath tunes, a bluesy Joe Henderson piece, and an absolutely burning version of "Chick's Tune," which is a clever reworking of the standard "You Stepped Out of a Dream." Fans of drummer Al Foster should note that this is his studio debut, though you wouldn't know it; Foster plays with the skill and confidence of a veteran on all five tracks.

„This Blue Mitchell date is a classic, particularly the opening "Fungii Mama," which is really catchy. The trumpeter's quintet of the period (which includes tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, the young pianist Chick Corea, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Al Foster) also performs two Jimmy Heath tunes and a song apiece by Joe Henderson ("Step Lightly") and Corea. The record is prime Blue Note hard bop, containing inventive tunes, meaningful solos, and an enthusiastic but tight feel. Highly recommended.“ (Scott Yanow, AMG)

Blue Mitchell, trumpet
Junior Cook, tenor saxophone
Chick Corea, piano
Gene Taylor, bass
Al Foster, drums

Recorded July 30, 1964 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs
Engineered by Rudy Van Gelder
Produced by Alfred Lion

Digitally remastered

Blue Mitchell
was born March 13, 1930 in Miami, Florida. He took up trumpet in high school where he acquired his nickname. After high school, he toured with R&B bands led by Paul Williams, Earl Bostic, and Chuck Willis. After returning to Miami, he was heard by Cannonball Adderly, who took him to New York to record for Riverside in 1958. Mitchell gained a reputation working with Horace Silver’s quintet from 1958 to March of 1964, where his lyrical playing and beautiful tone perfectly complemented Silver’s simplified, soulful brand of bop. When Silver disbanded in 1963, Mitchell formed his own group, employing most of his fellow musicians, with Silver's place being taken by Chick Corea. This band continued until the end of the decade, at which time Mitchell joined the band that was backing Ray Charles. During the early 70s, Mitchell played with a number of artists in fields outside jazz, notably bluesman John Mayall and popular singers such as Tony Bennett and Lena Horne. Resident in Los Angeles from the mid-70s, Mitchell freelanced in both small and big bands, including those led by Harold Land, Louie Bellson and Bill Berry.

Blue Mitchell died of cancer on May 21st 1979 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 49.

This album contains no booklet.