Sonny Fortune, Billy Harper, Stanley Cowell, Reggie Workman, Billy Hart - Great Friends (Black & Blue/Evidence, 1987)

This post is by Scott and Dan

Sonny Fortune (as); Billy Harper (ts); Stanley Cowell (p); Reggie Workman (b); Billy Hart (d)

Recorded on July 7, 1986

This record is a pure joy. The quintet brings together five of the greatest artists of the 1980s playing their own music. Great Friends is obviously a group project that needs no leader. There are no weak pieces in the program, and the performances are energetic without becoming chaotic. Clearly one of our favorite albums by several of our favorite artists.

Great Friends has an interesting issue history. It was recorded in France and issued on CD in 1987 by the Black and Blue label, an imprint known for prolonging the careers of veteran American jazz artists. We can only imagine the impact this group made in the studio during the recording. 

The Evidence label then released the CD in the U.S. in 2003, which is how we discovered it. An alternative blue cover was used, as shown. Evidence has rescued many sessions from oblivion on labels that limit their distribution or production runs.  

Then, surprisingly it received the Pure Pleasure audiophile treatment and was released in 2022 as a 2-LP set, its first appearance on vinyl. Owning the premium vinyl release should be a priority for some fans of these artists. The vinyl cover is close to the original French CD. The players shown left-to-right are Billy Harper, Stanley Cowell, Billy Hart, Sonny Fortune, and Reggie Workman. 

Any fan of the individuals in the group can expect great things from these great friends. It's not as far "out" as some might fear, but it's also not old timers reminiscing on the past. The tunes include two by each of the band members except for Hart. Cowell's "Equipoise" is perhaps his most recognizable tune. Both Fortune and Harper offer compositions that they have recorded before. The surprise composer could be bassist Workman, whose "Synapse" was included on his Synthesis album reviewed in this blog. 

This is vital, inspirational music performed by masters. It's a shame that Great Friends took so long to become available in the country where all the artists are from.