Eddie Higgins Quartet Feat. Scott Hamilton & Ken Peplowski It's Magic (2 LP)

Venus Masterpiece Collection Limited Edition 180g Vinyl Double LP!
With his numerous albums released on Venus Records, Eddie Higgins has established himself as one of Japan's most renowned jazz pianists. For this album, Higgins teamed up with two experienced horn players who share his mature, straightforward sensibility: Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone) and Ken Peplowski (tenor saxophone, clarinet). The rhythm section is made up of Jay Leonhart (bass) and Ben Riley (drums). For this special session on October 18, 2006 (The Studio, New York, USA), the songs were selected based on the wishes of the readers of the "Swing Journal": Producer Todd Barkan and the musicians selected from the pieces that received the most votes from Japanese jazz fans and then recorded them.
AllMusic writes about "It's Magic": The emphasis is on slow, lush interpretations of ballads, with Hamilton taking a more straightforward approach compared to Peplowski's more personal, dialogue-oriented style. Exceptions are the swinging, swinging version of "I Never Knew", an airy arrangement in which Peplowski shines with his powerful solo, and the driving explorations of "Autumn Leaves". Peplowski switches to clarinet for part of the session, especially for the beautiful version of "Mood Indigo". Throughout the album, Higgins' rousing piano playing sounds effortless, as if the songs have been part of his repertoire for a long time."
Venus Records was founded in Japan in 1992 by Tetsuo Hara, who had previously worked as a producer for RCA Victor. The label uses a special mastering process called "Hyper Magnum Sound" for the strictly limited double LP of "It's Magic", cut at 33 rpm and pressed on 180 gram vinyl, which produces a powerful, present sound and is highly appreciated by audiophiles worldwide. A small note: Venus LPs are only pressed once. If the edition is out of print, the corresponding title will be deleted from the catalogue and no longer reproduced. Collectors should therefore not wait too long to order: The releases from the "Venus Masterpiece Collection" are particularly popular!
Venus LPs are pressed only once. After the first edition has been sold, the titles will be removed from the catalogue. Collectors should therefore consider buying in good time.

Features:

• Limited Edition
• Venus Masterpiece LP Collection
• 180g Vinyl
• Double LP
• Mixed & Mastered by Tetsuo Hara
• Venus Hyper Magnum Sound Direct Mix Stereo
• OBI Strip
• Made in Japan

Musicians:

• Eddie Higgins, piano
• Scott Hamilton, tenor sax
• Ken Peplowski, tenor sax/clarinet
• Jay Leonhart, bass
• Ben Riley, drums

Selections:

Side A
1. It's Magic
2. Autumn Leaves II
3. Ghost Of A Chance
4. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
Side B
1. I Never Knew
2. Suddenly
3. Mood Indigo
Side C
1. I'll Never Be The Same
2. Autumn Leaves
3. Round Midnight
Side D
1. The Touch Of Your Lips
2. I'll Close My Eyes
3. A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square