Barefoot Adventure

Bud Shank

Barefoot Adventure
Super Audio Compact Disc/Hybrid | Stereo

CATALOG: IMP8330
MSRP: $29.99 USD

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Impex Records is pleased to announce a new, audiophile SACD/Hybrid release of Bud Shank’s pivotal 1961 classic, Barefoot Adventure.

Featuring original compositions arranged by Shank for Bruce Brown’s surf film of the same name, this is a swinging, hard-driving jazz session by six top-flight session players at the height of their careers: Bud Shank (alto and baritone), Bob Cooper (tenor), Carmell Jones (trumpet), Dennis Budimir (guitar), Gary Peacock (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

The original Pacific Jazz recording features excellent sonics, precise soundstage, and wide dynamics while showcasing Shank’s elegant playing at its most adventurous, playing with supreme confidence and sophistication.

Remastered and cut to lacquer by Kevin Gray with the original 1961 analog master tapes, this ultimate high-resolution digital edition of Barefoot Adventure will satiate the most demanding audiophile and jazz enthusiast alike!

First time on analog-mastered Super Audio Compact Disc/Hybrid

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio with the original analog tapes

16-page booklet with photos and original LP notes.

Rendered in DSD and manufactured to the highest standards on SACD with a hybrid CD layer for all hardware players

  1. BAREFOOT ADVENTURE
  2. SHOELESS BEACH MEETING
  3. JUNGLE CRUISE
  4. HOW HIGH THE MAKAHA
  5. WELL, ʼPON MY SOUL
  6. ALA MOANA
  7. BRUCE IS LOOSE
  8. DANCE OF THE SEA MONSTERS

Influenced and inspired by the Latin rhythms he heard during a South American tour he took in 1961 led trumpet player Kenny Dorham to the creation of Matador. This particular edition is a stereo SACD rerelease courtesy of IMPEX Records.

Dorham and his ensemble suitably swing throughout this whole album with an appealing level of confidence and skill. The playing is sensitive and mature, indicating a level of experience that should have gotten Dorham a lot more notice and recognition than he received.

In the track “El Matador,” there is some wonderful exploratory work going on between Dorham and his crew, yet the rhythms and timing still keep things approachable and enjoyable to an average listener such as myself. Contrast that with the glorious straight-ahead swing happening on “Smile” where the whole ensemble is completely into the groove and hustling. You can easily hear pianist Bobby Timmons doing that same sort of vocal scat during his tasteful solo that Oscar Peterson is so well known for.

Melanie Parts 1, 2, and 3 are essentially a tightly arranged Suite dedicated to alto saxophone player Jackie McLean’s daughter. Both Dorham and McLean along with piano player Bobby Timmons, perform some standout solos throughout. Timmons and Dorham return as a duo for a very sensitive and sublime interpretation of “Prelude” by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. An almost magical rendition.

The SACD production includes analog mastering by Chris Bellman over at Bernie Grundman Mastering and SACD authoring by Gus Skinas. The packaging and liner notes are excellent. My only issue with this release is that the track listing printed on the back of the jewel case indicates eight tracks, with tracks 2-4 comprising the three parts of “Melanie.” My SACD player shows a total of 6 tracks, with the three parts of “Melanie” being listed as one track. Not sure if that one track is indexed so that one can access the individual parts, but if it is my player won’t allow me to do that. A small niggle in an otherwise superb release.   –Carlo Loraso, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

“This is a cool, sinuous jazz album musically and sonically worthy of Pacific Jazz.” –Ken Kessler, Hi Fi News

Read Ken’s full review in the April 2024 issue of Hi Fi News.