| Rain or Shine | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 24, 2017 | |||
| Recorded | June 4, 2017 | |||
| Studio | Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 56:16 | |||
| Label | HighNote HCD 7309 | |||
| Producer | Houston Person | |||
| Houston Person chronology | ||||
| ||||
Rain or Shine is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 2017 and released on the HighNote label. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| All About Jazz |    [2] |
| The Observer | [3] |
| The Times | [4] |
On All About Jazz, Jack Bowers noted "Tenor saxophonist Houston Person, now in his eightieth decade, has made no concessions to Father Time, choosing instead to use his many years in the jazz trenches to forge a style all his own, bathed in blues and soul but never turning a deaf ear to the allure of a seductive and tasteful melody. Each of these components is clear as the midday sun on Rain or Shine, a well-designed studio session". [2] In JazzTimes, Thomas Conrad wrote: "In the liner notes, Houston Person says, “Few people get into this kind of groove these days.” So true. It is the sensual, slightly sweaty, blues-based groove they used to call soul-jazz. It was central to the jazz art form (and to its commercial viability) in the 1960s. But in our current eclectic, experimental era, it is a quaint niche. When you hear an authentic voice of the genre like Person, you remember how easy it is to like this music ... The program contains standards, old R&B hits and lost gems ... The members of Person’s sextet all speak this rich musical language as their native tongue". [5] In The Observer, Dave Gelly said "Although he doesn't attract much critical attention, Houston Person must have a large and loyal following, judging by the number of albums he's made over the years. They’re a discriminating crowd, too, if this latest example is anything to go by. Ballads, blues, R&B classics – gently but unerringly his soulful tenor saxophone brings out their beauty, enhancing a melody with a few deft strokes. He can pick a good band, too". [3] In The Times, Chris Pearson observed "Houston Person was playing tough tenor when Alexander was a babe in arms and is still going strong in every sense. On Rain or Shine the soul-jazz pioneer leads a sextet through a set made up mostly of crate-digging rhythm’n’blues tunes ... a tenor-sax tonic for the winter blues" [4]
Houston Person is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. He received the ‘Eubie Blake Jazz Award’ in 1982.
Extensions is an album by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded on February 9, 1970 but not released until January of 1973. It has performances by Tyner with alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Elvin Jones, and features Alice Coltrane playing harp on three of the four tracks.
Lush Life is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and featuring Donaldson with Freddie Hubbard, Garnett Brown, Jerry Dodgion, Wayne Shorter, Pepper Adams, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, and Al Harewood performing arrangements by Duke Pearson. Due to the success of Donaldson's Alligator Bogaloo (1967) the album was not released until 1980 in Japan under the title Sweet Slumber and then finally released decades later internationally.
Trust in Me is the third album led by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 1967 and released on the Prestige label.
Stolen Sweets is an album by saxophonist Houston Person recorded in 1976 and released on the Muse label.
Now's the Time is an album by saxophonist Houston Person recorded in 1989 and released on the Muse label.
Very PERSONal is an album by saxophonist Houston Person recorded in 1980 and released on the Muse label early the following year.
Close Encounters is an album by saxophonists Teddy Edwards and Houston Person which was recorded in 1996 and released on the HighNote label in 1999.
The Opening Round, subtitled The Groove Masters Series Vol. 1 is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 1997 and released on the Savant label.
Dialogues is an album by saxophonist Houston Person and bassist Ron Carter recorded in 2000 and released on the HighNote label in 2002.
Sentimental Journey is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 2002 and released on the HighNote label.
All Soul is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 2005 and released on the HighNote label.
You Taught My Heart to Sing is an album by saxophonist Houston Person and pianist Bill Charlap recorded in 2004 and released on the HighNote label in 2006.
Mellow is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 2009 and released on the HighNote label.
Naturally is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 2012 and released on the HighNote label.
Nice 'n' Easy is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 2013 and released on the HighNote label.
The Melody Lingers On is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 2014 and released on the HighNote label.
The Way We Were: Live in Concert is a live album by vocalist Etta Jones and saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in Cleveland in 2000 but not released on the Highnote label until 2011.
Social Call is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 2003 and released on the HighNote label.
Remember Love is an album by saxophonist Houston Person and bassist Ron Carter recorded in 2018 and released on the HighNote label. It is the sixth album of duets that the two musicians have released.