Artist: Chico Hamilton 

Album: “The Dealer” 

Year of Release: 1966

Label: Impulse

I Bought This Record From: Fall 2011 Carrboro Record Fair

Come Hear This Record Live at CFBG’s Record Co-Op (930 S. Chapman Street) on Wednesday, February 1st @ 6 pm

- I first came across this record about five years ago when I was in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The guy wanted $12 for it and I just couldn’t talk myself into it, but I regretted not picking it up. So when I saw it at the Carrboro Record fair I knew it was fate.  The album is very important for a number of reasons.  A lot of folks praise it because it was the introduction of jazz guitar virtuoso Larry Coryell.  It also features Archie Shepp playing piano on the second track, “For Mods Only.”  In my opinion side one just sort of acts as lounge jazz, nothing special.  Side two however delivers with Coryell showcasing his guitar skills on “Larry of Arabia,” bass player Richard Davis’ smooth bass solo on “Thoughts” (Richard shines throughout the album), and finally there is the snappy free for all “Jim Jeannie.”  You can read more and hear some of this from this Icrates review.  I will actually be posting an article I did for Icrates in the next couple of days.  Great on-line magazine based out of Berlin.