Dwain

• Blue and Sentimental is Ike Quebec’s hallmark work and is one of the most well-rounded recordings that you’ll encounter. Ike’s smoky and soulful sound is not just that but powerful and technical when need be. His range on the horn and use of articulation, dynamics and different tones is nearly unmatched. His playing is emotional yet so technical and deliberate. This album covers nearly all the bases from blues to bebop and up-beat swing to melancholy ballads.

• The duo of Grant Green and Ike Quebec is a jazz power couple that the world didn’t know it needed. Grant’s blues sensibilities coupled with Ike’s soulful sultry blues approach is a match made in heaven and gives this album such a unique flavor to it. We get multiple melodies played by just Grant on guitar which might not be what you expect from this saxophone feature but shows Ike’s willingness to be creative and feature such a legendary guitarist so heavily throughout his own album. This is exceedingly evident on Green’s track “Blues for Charlie” which Green really comes to play on and is his original.

• The rhythm section is elite featuring the likes of Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. If there is any questioning these two players and the influence on the music go look at their discographies and all the greats they’ve played with. They are two of the greatest to ever play their respective instruments and it’s evident here with the ever-swinging in the pocket feel we get from the two of them.

• It is interesting to note that two of the tracks (That Old Black Magic and It’s All Right With Me) were not initially included in the first release of the album but were added to the CD reissue at a later date. And to note that the track Count Every Star is from a separate session with a different cast and is featured on Green’s Born to Be Blue.

• Overall, all of these factors are what make this arguably Quebec’s greatest work from the personnel, to the versatility of song selection, the execution, and last but not least Ike Quebecs sound! If you didn’t know who Ike Quebec was, now you know!

Overall score: 8.9/10

Max

• Ike Quebec’s Blue Note album Blue and Sentimental should be essential listening for any saxophonist and straight-ahead guitar player. There’s style, swing and swagger in everything that occurs on this album. Ike is unique in how he blends many common straight-ahead pre-bop and early bop saxophone techniques to produce his ever-present sound. An obvious adherence to soul is well-maintained, even in his busier, faster improvisatory lines. Ike’s ability to move in-and-out of varying ideas and the different ranges on the horn are impressive. Ike Quebec’s soulful note-bends, breathy ballad tone, and use of vibrato are tasteful characteristics to his approach. His faster tempo grit is well-appreciated too. It is also interesting to hear Ike’s piano comping on a number of these tracks, speaking to his versatility and musicality. Ike’s song list on this album is much appreciated, featuring an excellent rendition of Count Basie’s “Blue and Sentimental,” as well as a couple of his originals. Green’s “Blues For Charlie” is a standout feel-good track too.

• Other players, including Grant Green on guitar and Philly Joe Jones on drums shine at many moments here as well. Green makes a solid contribution with his introductions, single-line improvisations, and great guitar tone. Philly Joe has some nice interactions with soloists and is always in-the-pocket; you can hear why he was many performers’ favorite drummer.

• There are one or two moments where there is a clear awkward cut in the middle of tunes where it seems they spliced different takes or took out parts of solos perhaps in order to account for time. A couple of the intros are quite similar to one another, maybe seeming a bit too predictable in some of the album’s arranging; however, there are other nice arranging techniques, including the use of shout choruses and cool ballad endings.

• All-in-all, this is a very solid album. Ike Quebec left us too early; yet, we have his big 4 Blue Note albums to adore; this one being his most critically-acclaimed. Ike’s sound will continue to stand the test of time, along with this record. If you are unaware of Ike’s prowess, please inform yourself by digging into his Blue Note discography; you shouldn’t be disappointed.

Overall score: 8.9/10