****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
My love affair with Richie Cole began a long time ago when I heard him on his joyous 1970's recordings under his own name and with the vocal legend Eddie Jefferson. These recordings remain Richie's best, and are all highly recommended.So when I found this recording of the Alto Madness Orchestra recorded in 2005, I jumped for joy. I can't get enough Richie Cole. However, I was underwealmed by the results. The seven piece orchestra is fine. But this is not the knockout Richie Cole recording I was looking for.It features mostly original compositions by Richie. The liner notes says he has 5000 charts in his portfolio. I find the compositions on this CD to have too much sameness.At any rate,this is not a bad recording. However, I do not find the excitement and joy of his many recordings of the 1970's on this recording.There is a later recording by the Alto Madness Orchestra called "Rise's Rose Garden." See my review of it.
