DOROTHY ASHBY & FRANK WESS - In A Minor Groove DOROTHY ASHBY & FRANK WESS

Dorothy Ashby was arguably the greatest - and certainly the most swinging - jazz harpist of all time, transforming an instrument best known for ethereal glissandos into a fully versatile voice in small-group jazz, capable of providing both intricate melodic textures and rhythmic drive.Yet both her gender and the unconventional nature of her instrument often prevented her from being taken seriously within the jazz establishment of the late 1950s and '60s.Ironically, it is that very uniqueness that has made her one of the most sought-after artists of her era, with her music sampled and celebrated by modern artists such as Jurassic 5 and Bonobo.In a Minor Groove is one of two albums Ashby recorded in 1958 with flautist and saxophonist Frank Wess, and it remains a marvel.Backed by fellow Detroit native Herman Wright on bass and the legendary Roy Haynes on drums, Ashby and Wess weave mesmerising melodic lines through standards including Alone Together and Yesterdays.Perhaps the album’s standout performance is Bohemia After Dark, which brilliantly showcases Ashby’s remarkable ability to make the harp function like a rhythm guitar.For this reissue, the original mono master sources have been used rather than the rechannelled stereo version and altered track listing featured on Prestige Records’ later repackaging, Dorothy Ashby Plays for Beautiful People.Presented with the original album artwork and Ira Gitler’s sleeve notes, this edition is pressed on clear vinyl with red, green, and purple swirl effects to reflect the rich sonic palette of this jazz classic.