Pianist Al Haig and guitarist Jimmy Raney (who are joined on this LP by bassist Wilbur Little and drummer Frank Gant) make for a logical combination, since both had styles that were boppish yet thoughtful. Unfortunately, Haig plays electric piano on four of the eight numbers, which dilutes his individuality a bit. The quartet not only performs three Charlie Parker tunes and a couple of veteran standards, but Eddie Harris' "Freedom Jazz Dance," Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" and Raney's original "We'll Be Together," showing that they were keeping an open mind beyond bop. Fine music but not essential.
Scott YanowSource : https://www.allmusic.com/album/special-brew-mw0000879288
Al Haig
Jimmy Raney
Quartet
Special Brew
(TOCJ-6215)
Tracks
1 Freedom Jazz Dance (Harris) 4:37
2 We'll Be Together (Raney) 6:01
3 Marmaduke (Parker) 4:14
4 Dolphin Dance (Hancock) 7:02
5 Blues for Alice (Parker) 4:28
6 Shaw 'Nuff (Parker, Gillespie) 3:43
7 Don't You Know I Care (Ellington) 6:28
8 Just Friends (Klenner, Lewis) 5:59
*
Personnel
Al Haig - el. & ac. p
Jimmy Raney - g
Wilbur Little - b
Frank Gant - dr
Recorded at CBS Studios, New York City ; Wednesday, November 27, 1974