Bill Evans & Jim Hall Undercurrent

180 Gram Vinyl! Re-mastering by Ron McMaster at Capitol Studios! Pressed at Pallas in Germany!
This is the first of two superb albums recorded by Bill Evans, and guitarist Jim Hall, and it was recorded over two sessions in April and May 1962. Arrangements simply for piano and guitar are rare in Jazz, and it is even more seldom that the results are truly inspiring and as musically worthwhile as in this case. It is usual for intuitive musical relationships to develop over a number of years, but here we find two musicians who clearly shared an immediate understanding.
Both men are on absolute top form here - Bill Evans was on fire throughout the early and mid sixties, and after the tragic death of his previous musical partner, virtuoso bass player Scott Le Faro (at the age of 23), he was searching for new directions. Jim Hall is a guitarist of tremendous skill and powerful technique, with a highly developed rhythmic and harmonic sense that shines through on this album. What is so special about the performances here is an almost telepathic anticipation of where the music is heading - both musicians contribute equally, and there is a constant exchange of ideas, each reacting to the other with apparent ease, whatever the mood.
"Undercurrent" is the first of two outstanding albums, recorded during two sessions by Bill Evans and guitarist Jim Hall in April and May 1962. Arrangements exclusively for piano and guitar are rare in jazz and even rarer is the result as inspiring and musically rewarding as in this case. Usually, intuitive musical relationships develop over a period of several years, but here are two musicians who clearly understand each other from the beginning.
Both are in top form on this LP - Bill Evans was energized in the early and mid-60s; after the tragic death of his previous musical partner, the virtuoso bassist Scott Le Faro, at the age of only 23, he was looking for a new direction. Jim Hall is a guitarist of tremendous talent and great technique, with a highly developed sense of rhythm and harmony that radiate from this album. The absolutely special thing about this recording is an almost telepathic anticipation of where the music is going - both musicians contribute equally much to it, there is a constant exchange of ideas, everyone reacts to the other with obvious ease, no matter in what mood.
This is a brilliant jazz album of great depth and impressive atmosphere and both players show exceptional inventiveness. Highly recommended!
This is a brilliant jazz album, of great depth and tremendous atmosphere, and both players express some exceptional ideas. - Recorded at Sound Makers, NYC, May 14, 1962
"Each player is thoroughly equal in this endeavor, and their ideas and exchanges are something to hear. Having the clean and quiet vinyl background and the rich sound of each instrument aids a lot in appreciating the six shared creations of these two master jazzmen." - John Henry, www.audaud.com, 5/5 Stars!

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• Pressed at Pallas in Germany
• Limited Edition
• Re-mastering by Ron McMaster at Capitol Studios
• Gatefold Jacket

Musicians:

• Bill Evans, piano
• Jim Hall, guitar

Selections:

Side A
1. My Funny Valentine
2. I Hear A Rhapsody
3. Dream Gypsy
Side B
1. Romain
2. Skating in Central Park
3. Darn That Dream