Trombonist/composer/arranger Slide Hampton and His Orchestra: "Sister Salvation"

Trombonist Locksley Wellington Hampton was nicknamed "Slide" as he mastered the trombone. Slide mastered other horns as well but also writing and arranging. He formed a hip working band in the early 60s called "The Slide Hampton Octet". Eight strong pieces but when budgets and circumstances allowed, Slide would augment the Octet for a bigger sound. It is thus with this album called "Sister Salvation" A few horns are added for a bigger sound and more involved writing. The results are a very disciplined recording but even with the tight ensembles and nice background riffs, the air of a small group prevails with lots of inspired solos by a young Freddie Hubbard, tenor saxophone master George Coleman, powerhouse baritone saxist Jay Cameron, Bernard McKinney (aka Kaine Zawadi) on euphonium and Slide Hampton himself on trombone. There is no guitar or piano in the rhythm section but Nabil (Nobby) Totah is a powerful bassist and Pet LaRoca (aka Peter Sims) is a killer drummer. This is a satisfying album for it's combination of small group freedom and the discipline of a big band all thanks to Slide Hampton. Of the 6 tunes, Slide arranged four and composed 3 of the pieces including the gospel flavoured title tune. Randy Weston's "Hi-Fly" is rendered a fine arrangement by Billy Frazier and George Coleman's arrangement of Gigi Gryce's "Minority" is a standout. Sister Salvation is refreshing and fun date and it's nice to know that Slide is still with us.