Sounds from Rikers Island is an album by jazz pianist Elmo Hope recorded in 1963 for the Audio Fidelity label.Elmo Hope discography accessed November 26, 2012
Reception
The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek stated "As a musical document, it is an overwhelming success. Hope surrounds himself with musicians whose reputations are now legendary... the level of musical empathy and improvisational reciprocity is inspiring. This is an obscure date but it shouldn't be, as it features some of Hope and Gilmore's finest playing, and shows Jones in rare, lighthearted form".Jurek, T. Allmusic Review accessed November 26, 2012
DownBeat assigned the album 4 stars. Reviewer Chuck Berg wrote, "Hope’s fine-line melodic arcs were sketched over rich harmonic backgrounds with Monk-like dissonances and evocative substitutions. He was a master of the subtle gesture, an Alexander Calder of jazz whose delicately balanced sonic mobiles seemed to float in space".
Track listing All compositions by Elmo Hope except as indicated "One for Joe" - 4:34 "Ecstasy" - 3:15 "Three Silver Quarters" - 4:45 "A Night in Tunisia" (Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli) - 5:57 "Trippin'" - 3:19 "It Shouldn't Happen to a Dream" (Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges) - 4:07 "Kevin" - 4:15 "Monique" - 3:02 "Groovin' High" (Gillespie) - 2:59
Personnel Elmo Hope - piano Lawrence Jackson - trumpet Freddie Douglas - soprano saxophone John Gilmore - tenor saxophone Ronnie Boykins - bass Philly Joe Jones - drums Earl Coleman, Marcelle Daniels – vocals
References