Horace Silver Quintet
Cape Verdean Blues

Recorded on two separate dates in October 1965 (1st and 22nd), ‘Cape Verdean Blues’ was the first full album recorded with Horace Silver’s new quintet, though the second session added legendary trombone player J J Johnson to the line-up.  The band features Joe Henderson on tenor, Woody Shaw on trumpet, Roger Humphries on drums and Bob Cranshaw on bass. On ‘Cape Verdean Blues’ Horace Silver’s writing is at its best and he composed five of the six tracks. The title cut blends Latin, Calypso and Hard Bop with consummate ease and it has that jaunty, happy feel that immediately evokes the name of Horace Silver.  The more measured and bluesy ‘The African Queen’ is a memorable though slightly solemn tune.  Henderson’s sax is at its most soulful, whilst Silver’s rhythmic patterns are intoxicating. The lovely waltz ‘Pretty Eyes’ is sublime, Henderson and Shaw blow for all their worth.   Silver adds an elegant solo before the horns return to the gorgeous main theme.  The aptly titled ‘Nutsville’ displays Silver’s quizzical sense of humour that fuse with its fast Latin beat.  It is foot-tapping fun and an absolute barnstormer.  The tempo slows to somewhere approaching normality on the introspective ‘Bonita’.  Joe Henderson composed ‘Mo Jo’ and it’s a throbbing slice of Hard Bop that concludes a five-star set from the legendary pianist.