Four! (Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series)[LP]

⛳ Four! – Hampton Hawes with Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne & Red Mitchell

Label: Contemporary Records / Craft Recordings
Series: Acoustic Sounds Series
Format: 180g LP Vinyl
Remastered by: Bernie Grundman
Pressed at: QRP (Quality Record Pressings)
Release Date: July 15, 2022
Original Engineer: Roy DuNann

Some quartets play. This one converses. Four! is a masterclass in ensemble restraint, melodic clarity, and swinging lyricism. The chemistry between Hawes and his trio partners is palpable—each track feels like a round of musical golf: precise, playful, and full of breath.

🎶 Tracklist

Side A

1. Yardbird Suite – bebop brilliance with lyrical phrasing
2. There Will Never Be Another You – warm and wistful
3. Bow Jest – witty and rhythmically nimble

Side B
4. Sweet Sue – breezy and elegant
5. Up Blues – earthy and expressive
6. Like Someone in Love – tender and spacious
7. Love Is Just Around the Corner – upbeat and swinging

Studio monitors will reveal microdynamics of phrasing, brushwork texture, and the emotional fingerprint of Hawes’ touch. The remastering by Bernie Grundman preserves the original tape warmth while enhancing spatial realism.

Visually, the cover is iconic: four jazz legends mid-swing on a golf course, dressed in vintage attire. It’s not just playful—it’s editorial metaphor. Precision, leisure, and ensemble timing.

Released as part of the Acoustic Sounds Series celebrating 70 years of Contemporary Records, Four! highlights the timeless talents of Hampton Hawes (piano), Barney Kessel (guitar), Shelly Manne (drums), and Red Mitchell (bass). First released in 1958 and recorded by legendary engineer Roy DuNann, this new edition features all-analog mastering from the original tapes by Bernie Grundman. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at QRP and presented in a tip-on jacket.