CLARKE BOLAND SEXTETT Vinyl & CDs

Review: Led by Kenny Clarke and Francy Boland, the Clarke-Boland Sextet was made up of further musical talents from across Europe and the United States such as Boland, Sahib Shihab, Jimmy Woode, Joe Harris, and Sadi. The group played a pivotal role in shaping the European jazz scene of the 60s, never more so than with their timeless Music For The Small Hours record in 1967. It takes in an array of influences and includes standards like Burt Bacharach's 'Wives & Lovers' as well as more Brazilian and Afro-Cuban groovers like Luiz Bonfa's 'Ebony Samba'. The original compositions shine too, with Shihab's 'Please, Don't Leave' showcasing his vocal talents and adding a real depth. Overall this is jazz that radiates sophistication and relaxation and makes for a refined listen.