LOREZ ALEXANDRIA - Nature Boy (Supper Club Reissue w/ 2 Bonus Tracks) - LP - 180g Vinyl [MAY 5]

LP - Limited Edition 180g Virgin Vinyl with 2 Bonus Tracks. Only 500 copies pressed in this edition. 

Described by Brian Priestley, Ian Carr, and Digby Fairweather in their 2004 book The Rough Guide to Jazz as "one of the most gifted and underrated jazz singers of the twentieth century", Lorez Alexandria began as a singer in churches in her teens, and spent 11 years as part of an a cappella choir before turning to jazz. This album features her backed only by a rhythm section (including renowned Ahmad Jamal Trio bassist Israel Crosby) plus bebop trumpeter Howard McGhee (who recorded with the great Charlie Parker, among many others).

Although Lorez continued performing and recording in the following decades, she never made the anticipated breakthrough to a wider audience. Nevertheless, her albums are now cult items for jazz fans.

Tracklist:

Side A
1. Nature Boy
2. I Was A Fool
3. No Moon At All
4. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
5. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
6. Good Morning Heartache
7. So Long*

Side B
1. Detour Ahead
2. It Could Happen To You
3. Trav'lin Light
4. Almost Like Being In Love
5. I Want To Talk About You
6. Baby Don't Ypu Cry
7. I'm Just A Lucky So And So*

* = Bonus Tracks

LOREZ ALEXANDRIA: vocals
HOWARD McGHEE: trumpet
JOHN YOUNG: piano & arranger
GEORGE ESKRIDGE: guitar
ISRAEL CROSBY: bass
VERNEL FOURNIER: drums

Chicago, February 13-14, 1962. Original sessions produced by Ralph Bass.

*Bonus tracks: Lorez Alexandria (vc), Ramsey Lewis (p, out on B7), John Gray (g on A6-A7), Freddie Green (g on B6-B7), Eldee Young (b), Issac "Redd" Holt (d). On B6 add Joe Newman (tp), Al Grey (tb), Frank Wess & Frank Foster (ts). Arrangements by Kirk Stuart. Chicago, January-February, 1960.