Johnny Coles – Little Johnny C Lp (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)

Alfred Lioncame to hear Pearson at one such gig a couple of years later and loved what he heard, in particular a tune of Pearson’s called “Little Johnny C.” Lion gave Pearson the greenlight to assemble a Blue Note recording date with Coles as the leader, and so Pearson selected a program including five of his own original compositions that showcased Coles’ unique abilities such as the hard-charging “Heavy Legs,” the lilting waltz “My Secret Passion,” and the tender ballad “So Sweet My Little Girl.” The dynamic sextet Pearson put together for the date included himself on piano, Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone, Leo Wright on alto saxophone and flute, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and splitting drum duties were Walter Perkins (Side 1) and Pete La Roca (Side 2). Little Johnny C, recorded in 1963, would be the only album Coles would cut for Blue Note, but it remains a little-known treasure of the catalog.

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Grayfrom the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.