Straight Ahead! (Junior Mance album)


Straight Ahead! is an album by jazz pianist Junior Mance, recorded in 1964 and released on the Capitol label.

Reception

The Allmusic site awarded the album 4 stars, with reviewer Dave Nathan stating, "Combining Mance's natural blues-inflected piano with a big horn sound is a true aural treat. The result is a musical conversation with each side taking turns playing on or over the melody line.... Usually a large-ensemble format doesn't allow for much diversion from the charts. Here it's clear that the band stayed with the charts, but Mance was allowed a good deal of leeway in his playing. He could respond to the call of the band as he saw fit. The result is a dynamic session combining the best of a disciplined brass assembly with the unfettered play of a top jazz improvisor".

Track listing

  1. "In a Mellow Tone" - 2:28
  2. "Hannah Strikes Again" -1:45
  3. "Li'l Darlin'" - 4:52
  4. "Diane" - 2:43
  5. "Happy Time" - 2:35
  6. "The Late, Late Show" - 2:07
  7. "Fine Brown Frame" - 2:08
  8. "Señor Mance" - 2:11
  9. "Stompin' at the Savoy" - 2:57
  10. "Trouble in Mind" - 2:18
  11. "The J. A. M. F." - 2:10

    Personnel