Straight Up (Eric Alexander album)

Straight Up is the debut album by tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander. It was recorded in 1992 and released by Delmark Records.

Straight Up
Studio album by
RecordedAugust 21–22, 1992
StudioRiverside Studio, Chicago
GenreJazz
LabelDelmark
Eric Alexander chronology
Straight Up
(1992)
New York Calling
(1992)

Recording and music edit

The album was recorded at Riverside Studio, Chicago, on August 21–22, 1992.[1] The five musicians are tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Jim Rotondi, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist John Webber, and drummer George Fludas.[2]

Release and reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz    [2]

Straight Up was released by Delmark Records.[2] It was Alexander's first album as leader.[1] The AllMusic reviewer wrote that Alexander "has a full, bright, impressive tone, excellent facility and command of the instrument and is steadily developing a personal sound. While the tracks vary in quality, most are at worst competent and at best outstanding."[3]

Track listing edit

  1. "Straight Up" (Eric Alexander) – 8:24
  2. "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand) – 8:25
  3. "Be My Love" (Nicholas Brodszky, Sammy Cahn) – 7:49
  4. "Blues Waltz" (Ray Charles) – 8:05
  5. "Laura" (Johnny Mercer, David Raksin) – 8:02
  6. "An Oscar for Treadwell" (Charlie Parker) – 7:21
  7. "The End of a Love Affair" (Edward Redding) – 8:08
  8. "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster) – 7:57

Personnel edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Eric Alexander: Straight Up (CD liner notes). Delmark Records. Delmark 461.
  2. ^ a b c Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2004). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (7th ed.). Penguin. p. 20.
  3. ^ a b Wynn, Ron "Eric Alexander – Straight Up". AllMusic. Retrieved September 14, 2017.