Al Tanner

180 gram vinyl lp

numbered limited edition of 1000

London’s Jazzman Records continues its incredible Holy Grail Series with a couple of new additions, including the extremely rare 1967 modal jazz gem Happiness Is… Takin’ Care of Natural Business… Dig? by San Francisco pianist Al Tanner and his trio.

During the sixties, Tanner became very well known among the Bay Area jazz scene, however had little to no national reputation due to his reluctance to tour and no mainstream releases to his name. When you combine this along with the low budget and DIY approach of James Bronson’s Touché label (which released just 3 albums in a 20 year span), Happiness Is… Takin’ Care of Natural Business… Dig? didn’t receive the kind of support that would garner much attention outside of the Bay Area region.

That being said, those factors definitely don’t play into the quality of the timeless full-length album. The six-track recording features the classic modal piano trio sound at it’s best, and could easily be mistaken for a notable release at the time off of Columbia, Verve, Prestige or Blue Note Records.

Limited to just 1,000 copies, this well-crafted reissue includes extensive in-depth liner notes and rarely seen photos.

Even though this release didn’t see much attention outside of the Bay Area at the time, it’s great to see this superb recording receiving new life for new generations of jazz fans more than 50 years later. Absolutely essential!

PERSONNEL:

• Edgar Williams - (bass)
• William “Smiley” Winters - (drums)
• George Alexander - (flute, trumpet)
• Al Tanner - (piano)
• Roy Henderson - (tenor sax)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Zaltanica
• A2. The Magi
• A3. Kuba!

• SIDE B
• B1. Poor Me
• B2. Bronson's Blues
• B3. Rolon's Groove