From 1954 to 1956, these are the first recordings from one of the grandmasters of African American perspective, a genius of the acoustic piano, and one higly exceptional composer. These milestones are the debut recordings of Randy Weston, and they are a special treat for anyone who loves great Music in general, and Jazz in particular.

Pianist Weston is heard on two duets with bassist Sam Gill From his very first session (“In The Still Of The Night” and “What Is This Thing Called Love”), six selections from 1955 with Gill and drummer Art Blakey, four piano solos from 1956 and an entire quartet session with baritonistCecil Payne, bassist Ahmed-Abdul Malik and drummer Wilbert Hogan. Even at that early stage, Weston sonds quite recognizable (he was 28-30 years old during these sessions), bringing his own original and often percussive interpretations to a variety of standards plus four originals.

01 What Is This Thing Called Love (Cole Porter) 2:53
02 In The Still Of The Night (Cole Porter) 4:42
03 Little Girl Blue (Rodgers-Hart) 3:59
04 We’ll Be Together Again (Laine-Fischer) 4:11
05 Softness (Randy Weston) 4:28
06 Lover (Rodgers-Hart) 4:06
07 Zulu (Weston) 3:30
08 Pam’s Waltz (Weston) 3:45
09 Solemn Meditation (Sam Gill) 7:01
10 Again (Cochran-Newman) 5:07
11 If You Could See Me Now (TaddDameron) 3:39
12 weet Sue (Harris-Young) 3:47
13 The Man I Love (George and Ira Gershwin) 4:05
14 Serenade In Blue (Warren-Gordon) 2:55
15 I Can’t Get Started With You (Duke-Gershwin) 8:47
16 This Can’t Be Love (Rodgers-Hart) 3:03
17 hese Foolish Things (Marvelle-Strachey-link) 4:38
18 Lifetime (Weston-Payne) 4:17
19 Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me(Ellington-Rusell) 5:15
20 Little Niles (Weston) 4:53

RANDY WESTON, piano on all tracks
SAM GILL (bass on tracks 1, 2, 7-12)
ART BLAKEY (drums on tracks 7-12)
CECIL PAYNE (baritone sax on tracks 13, 15, 17-20)
AHMED ABDUL-MALIK (bass on tracks 13-20)
WILBERT HOGAN (drums on tracks 13-20)

Sources: Tracks 1 and 2 originally issued on the 10-inch LP Cole Porter in a Modern Mood (Riverside 2508)
Tracks 3-6 originally issued on Trio and Solo (Riv. 227)
Tracks 7-12 originally issued on the 10-inch LP The Randy Weston Trio (Riv.2515)
Tracks 13-20 originally issued on With These Hands (Riv. 214)

Compiled and manufactured by Mad About Records