Budd Johnson & Earl Hines - Mr. Bechet

"Based upon the diversity of music, quality of product and their extraordinary rate of progress, Pure Pleasure Records is our re-issue record company of the year." - hi-fi+

"First choice goes without hesitation to Pure Pleasure's reissue of Mr. Bechet on 180 gram vinyl. Why pick this fairly obscure title given such a wealth of choices this year? First, the sound is absolutely wonderful. Budd Johnson's tenor and soprano saxophone sound is lush, sexy and exquisite. And forget paying high prices for Earl Hines on M&K, and listen to his piano sound on this disc. From a sonic perspective this is the best new thing to hit my turntable this year. Second, I'm a sucker for soprano sax. Third, the music swings like crazy. And finally, I'd never even seen this record before. The original Black & Blue issue never crossed my path, but I can't believe it sounds any better than this marvelous reissue." – Dennis D Davis, Hi-Fi+, Record of the Year, 2007

Saxophonist Budd Johnson didn't record much, which makes this 1974 set with the great Earl Hines all the more interesting. Of course, the real reason it's special is because of some damn-fine music by some outstanding jazzmen. Johnson and Hines are joined by drummer Panama Francis and bassist Jimmy Leary. The title tracks is an original tribute to the king of soprano saxophonists Sidney Bechet.