(Mainstream Jazz) The Harry “Sweets” Edison Quintet - Patented By Edison - 2007, MP3, 320 kbps

Harry "Sweets" Edison - Trumpet
Jimmy Forrest - Tenor sax (tracks 1-13, 20, 22, 23)
Tommy Flanagan - Piano (tracks 1-12)
Tommy Potter - Bass (tracks 1-12)
Elvin Jones - Drums (tracks 1-12)
Jimmy Jones - Piano (tracks 13-17, 20, 22, 23)
Kenny Drew - Piano (tracks 18, 19, 21, 24)
Joe Benjamin - Bass (tracks 13, 20, 22, 23)
John Simmons - Bass (tracks 14-19, 21, 24)
Charlie Persip - Drums (tracks 13-24)

This album comprises two original LPs, now available together on CD for the first time. The first 12 tracks come from Patented by Edison, recorded in 1960, and the last 12 are from Sweetenings, recorded two years earlier. Despite the differing personnels on each album, the format is basically the same: mainly short tracks featuring Harry Edison himself, with the other players somewhat in the background. The results might threaten to be samey, except that Edison is always worth hearing, with his judicious choice of notes and his soft, unassertive tone. It is no surprise that Frank Sinatra wanted Harry to be on many of his recordings with Nelson Riddle's orchestra, because the trumpeter could always supply an inimitable touch of sophistication without overpowering the singer.
Of course, there are the Edison clichйs that we have come to expect - in this case, rather too many downward glissandi on single held notes, which fill many a gap in his improvisations. But these are balanced out by the way that he makes every note count, as if it has been carefully chosen from a wealth of possibilities. Harry's long years with Count Basie - an almost unbroken sequence from 1937 to 1950 - imbued him with a laid-back approach which never flaunts itself but does good by stealth.
Edison is well served by his accompanists, who don't get many chances to shine as soloists but provide excellent support throughout - especially when Edison chooses to finish a number in an unpredictable way. Pianist Tommy Flanagan makes the most of his few opportunities. Saxist Jimmy Forrest fits in well with Edison, and his velvet-toned tenor sax comes through well in his solo on Pussy Willow. All the bassists on these sessions lay down a solid beat. On the first dozen tracks, it is interesting to hear drummer Elvin Jones proving that he could play "straight" - in a much less busy style than he used with John Coltrane.
Tracks of particular note include Edison's composition Centerpiece - heard here for the first time but destined to become a popular jazz standard. In later manifestations, the tune was often taken at a faster tempo than the leisurely speed here. Although most of the tunes are from the Great American Songbook, Harry wrote seven of the 24 numbers (or eight if you count his collaboration with Basie on Jive at Five - note how Harry bends notes in this piece). The Edison originals include the boppish Twenty-Forty (with strong drumming from Elvin), Sweetcakes which has a bright solo from Tommy Flanagan, and Harriet which is based on Thelonious Monk's Blue Monk.
The transfers to CD are fine. With 68 minutes of superb but unpretentious music, this album is indeed a bargain.