Kenny Clarke; Francy Boland / The Golden 8
Artist Kenny Clarke; Francy Boland
Title The Golden 8
Format LP
Released 1961
Catalog No MMBST-84092
Label Blue Note
Notes This is one of the rarest of all Blue Note albums, and one that is a must for record collectors. The Francy Boland/Kenny Clarke big band was one of the most exciting orchestras of the 1960s and ‘70s. Much less known but also brilliant was a unique octet co-led by Boland and Clarke just prior to the big band. Called The Golden Eight, the group, in addition to pianist Boland and drummer Clarke, includes the dazzling hard bop trumpeter Duscko Gojkovic, alto sax, tenor sax, string bass and top musicians on both alto horn and baritone horn. The latter two horns were hardly ever featured in a jazz setting and they really add a great deal to the sound of the ensembles. The debut recording by the Golden Eight from 1961 is up to the level of the best Blue Note albums of the time even if few know about it. Mixing together inventive versions of standards with Boland’s memorable originals, this obscure classic will amaze today’s listeners.