Straight Ahead! is an album by jazz pianist Junior Mance, recorded in 1964 and released on the Capitol label. Discography Preview for the Capitol label Main Series 600-2999 (1955-1968) accessed August 15, 2016Junior Mance discography accessed August 15, 2016
Reception
The Allmusic reviewer Dave Nathan stated: "Combining Mance's natural blues-inflected piano with a big horn sound is a true aural treat. The result is a musical conversation with each side taking turns playing on or over the melody line. ... Usually a large-ensemble format doesn't allow for much diversion from the charts. Here it's clear that the band stayed with the charts, but Mance was allowed a good deal of leeway in his playing. He could respond to the call of the band as he saw fit. The result is a dynamic session combining the best of a disciplined brass assembly with the unfettered play of a top jazz improvisor".
Track listing "In a Mellow Tone" (Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler) - 2:28 "Hannah Strikes Again" (Hank Lentz) -1:45 "Li'l Darlin'" (Neal Hefti) - 4:52 "Diane" (Lew Pollack, Ernö Rapée) - 2:43 "Happy Time" (Junior Mance) - 2:35 "The Late, Late Show" (Roy Alfred, Murray Berlin) - 2:07 "Fine Brown Frame" (Guadalupe Cartiero, J. Mayo Williams) - 2:08 "Señor Mance" (Mance, Bob Bain) - 2:11 "Stompin' at the Savoy" (Benny Goodman, Chick Webb, Edgar Sampson, Andy Razaf) - 2:57 "Trouble in Mind" (Richard M. Jones) - 2:18 "The J. A. M. F." (Lentz) - 2:10
Personnel Junior Mance - piano John Audino, Pete Candoli, Don Fagerquist, Al Porcino, Ray Triscari - trumpet Milt Bernhart, Vern Friley, Lew McCreary - trombone George Roberts, Ken Shroyer - bass trombone Bob Bain - guitar, musical director Monty Budwig - bass Shelly Manne - drums Bob Bain, David Cavanaugh - arranger
References