Bill Evans & Jim Hall: Undercurrent (180g) Vinyl LP

Essential listening.Originally recorded in 1962,Undercurrents would be the first of two recorded collaborations between pianistBill Evansand guitarist Jim Hall.The legendary NYC session finds the two jazzmaestros in top form in the rare (for jazz) duo format,offering a beautifully introspective performance inthehard-swing / bebopstyle. Evans had just come off a long hiatus from recording (following the death of bassist Scott LaFaro), butdelivershis signature gentleand melodic touch,as Hall perfectly compliments with advanced harmonies. Includes “My Funny Valentine,” “I Hear A Rhapsody,” “Dream Gypsy,” “Romain,” “Skating In Central Park,” and “Darn That Dream,” housed inagatefoldpicture sleeve featuring Toni Frisell’s photograph “Weekee Wachee Spring, Florida.” The expanded 2017DOL pressing comes on heavyweight 180 gram vinylwiththe additional bonus tracks “Stairway To The Stars,” and “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You,” not found on the original LPs. Recommended.

• expanded w/ 2 bonus tracks ‘Stairway To The Stars’ + ‘I’m Getting Sentimental Over You’
• 180g black vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• original release year: 1962
• music label: DOL 2017

reviewed by neck cork 03/2018