HAROLD VICK – Don't Look Back (Strata-East – SES-7431 / LP-1974)

Label: Strata-East – SES-7431

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: US / Released: 1974

Style: Contemporary Jazz, Modal, Hard Bop

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Generation Sound Studio, New York City.

Album Design, Art Supervision – Creative Hands, Inc.

Photography – Jim Dunn

Engineer [Recording] – Eddie Korvin

Mastered By – David Crawford

Mixed By – Tony May

Produced – Harold Vick / Blue Rock Studio, New York City

Matrix / Runout (Side A etched): SES-7431-A

Matrix / Runout (Side B etched): SES-7431-B

A1 - Don't Look Back ...................................................................................... 6:04

A2 - Melody for Bu .......................................................................................... 7:22

A3 - Senor Zamora ......................................................................................... 5:40

B1 - Stop and Cop .......................................................................................... 6:38

B2 - Lucille ...................................................................................................... 9:20

B3 - Prayer ..................................................................................................... 1:05

All compositions by Harold Vick

Personnel:

Harold Vick – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, bass clarinet

Virgil Jones – trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks A1-A3)

Kiane Zawadi – euphonium (tracks A1-A3)

Joe Bonner – electric piano, piano, percussion, tuba

George Davis – guitar, flute (tracks A1-B1)

Sam Jones – bass (tracks A1-B2)

Billy Hart – drums, percussion (tracks A1-B2)

Jimmy Hopps – percussion (track B1)

"Don't Look Back" is an album led by American saxophonist Harold Vick recorded in 1974 and released on the Strata-East label.

This is one of my favourite Strata-East albums and a complete joy to listen to. There's something unique about Harold Vick's saxaphone sound that made me want to look deeper into his career.

"Don't Look Back" was recorded and released in the wake of Harold Vick's recovery from a heart attack, which may partially explain the passion with which he approaches his playing throughout.

One of the best-ever Strata East sessions! The album's a masterfully conceived session by reed player Harold Vick – best known to the world as the funky tenorist from albums by John Patton and Jack McDuff in the 60s, but emerging here as an incredibly sensitive soul jazz player, capable of turning out some incredibly sophisticated and emotional compositions. Vick produced and wrote all the material on the album, and other players include Joe Bonner, Virgil Jones, and Sam Jones. The record's darn tough to find, and is a treasure all the way through. Titles include "Don't Look Back", "Melody For Bu", "Stop & Cop", "Senor Zamora"  and "Lucille".  (Dusty Groove, Inc.)

If you find it, buy this album!