THE GENIUS AFTER HOURS

Ray Charles (Atlantic/Speakers Corner)

The Genius After Hours is a quintessential Ray Charles recording and Speakers Corner has done a superb job re-mastering the original mono tapes. The pure, un-manipulated sound is expertly mixed. The volumes on the piano are excellent and increase and decrease with seamless agility. The alto sax and trumpet are folded in quietly to achieve a mellower tone. Ray may have been the greatest American musician—ever—because his exceptional musical acuity was multi-faceted. TGAH is a quasis pontaneous post-concert session that features a variety of session players, including Oscar Pettiford (double bass), David ‘Fathead’ Newman (sax), Joe Harris (drums), Joseph Bridgewater (trumpet) and others who revitalise tunes such as The Genius After Hours, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Dawn Ray, Joy Ride, Hornful Soul, The Man I Love, Charlesville and Music, Music. The session is heralded as a relaxed meeting of “tired” performers. It’s anything but that! Robbie Gerson