James Newton – The African Flower (Vinyl LP | FR Original | 1985 | NM-/VG+)

James Newton – The African Flower (The Music Of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn) is flutist James Newton's tribute to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. The album was recorded on 24 and 25 June 1985 at RCA Studio B in New York, produced by Mike Berniker, and released on Blue Note in 1985. Newton arranged the pieces himself and reimagined them for a line-up with cornet, violin, vibraphone and percussion – including Fleurette Africaine, Black And Tan Fantasy, Cottontail and Passion Flower; Milt Grayson sings on Strange Feeling. The band includes Olu Dara, Roland Hanna, Jay Hoggard, John Blake and Billy Hart. This copy is the French original pressing from 1985.

Pressing details

• Label / Cat. no.: Blue Note
• Format: Vinyl LP
• Pressing: French original
• Country: France
• Year of this pressing: 1985
• Genre: Jazz, contemporary jazz

Condition

• Condition: Second hand
• Media: NM-
• Cover: VG+

Graded to Goldmine standard (see Vinyl Grading). The images are our own scans of the actual copy for sale.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Black And Tan Fantasy (Bubber Miley/Duke Ellington)
2. Virgin Jungle (Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington)
3. Strange Feeling (Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington)

Side B

1. Fleurette Africaine (The African Flower) (Duke Ellington)
2. Cottontail (Duke Ellington)
3. Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington/Irving Mills/Mitchell Parish)
4. Passion Flower (Billy Strayhorn)

Personnel

James Newton (flute, arrangements), Olu Dara (cornet), John Blake (violin), Jay Hoggard (vibraphone), Roland Hanna (piano), Rick Rozie (bass), Billy Hart (drums on Black And Tan Fantasy, Virgin Jungle, Fleurette Africaine, Passion Flower), Pheeroan akLaff (drums on Strange Feeling, Cottontail, Sophisticated Lady), Anthony Brown (percussion), Milt Grayson (vocals on Strange Feeling).

Recorded 24–25 June 1985 at RCA Studio B, New York; producer: Mike Berniker; engineer: Mike Moran; liner notes: Stanley Crouch.

FAQ

Is this an original pressing?
Yes. It is the French pressing from the year of release, 1985, on Blue Note.

Where was the album recorded?
At RCA Studio B in New York, on 24 and 25 June 1985.

What does Media NM- / Cover VG+ mean?
NM- (Near Mint minus) for the record means close to new with at most minimal signs of use. VG+ (Very Good Plus) for the sleeve means light wear. All grades are explained on our Vinyl Grading page.

Do you have more James Newton records?
More titles are in our Jazz collection.