Blues and the Abstract Truth

Although not as well known as its older cousin, Oliver Nelson's 1965 album More Blues and the Abstract Truth is still one of the finest small-group recording sessions. Although each of Nelson's arrangements displays several of his trademark harmonic tricks (fourth-based patterns, half-step rubs, etc.), there is an impressive amount of musical diversity among the selections from these recordings. This small-group version starts out as a highly knotty and challenging melody before shifting into a minor blues jazz waltz, with yet one more shift to a 4/4 altered blues form for the solos. Instrumentation: ATB saxes, trumpet, piano, bass, drums, and optional guitar.