Revival of the Fittest is an album by tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander. It was recorded in 2009 and released by HighNote Records.
| Revival of the Fittest | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | 2009 |
| Recorded | April 14 & 28, 2009 |
| Studio | Van Gelder Studio |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Label | HighNote |
| Producer | Don Sickler |
Recording and music
editThe album was recorded at the Van Gelder Studio.[1] It was produced by Don Sickler.[1] For all but one of the tracks, the four musicians are tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Nat Reeves, and drummer Joe Farnsworth.[2] These were recorded on April 14, 2009.[1] Fourteen days later, "Yasashiku (Gently)" was recorded; it is a duet by Alexander and pianist Mike LeDonne.[1] Two of the compositions – "Too Late Fall Back Baby" and "Blues for Phineas" – are Mabern compositions that he had recorded on his own albums.[3]
Release and reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Down Beat | [2] |
Revival of the Fittest was released by HighNote Records.[2] The AllMusic reviewer concluded that "Revival of the Fittest is yet another example of how rewarding an Alexander album can be when Mabern is on board."[3]
DownBeat reviewer Michael Jackson assigned the album 4 stars.[2] He wrote, "Alexander’s ability to convince with ballads and burners is exceptional, and he is often at his most creative on the outro or cadenza portions of a tune when proscribed harmony isn’t dictating direction".[2]
Track listing
edit- "Revival"
- "My Grown-Up Christmas List"
- "The Island"
- "Too Late Fall Back Baby"
- "Love-Wise"
- "Blues for Phineas"
- "You Must Believe in Spring"
- "Yasashiku (Gently)"
Personnel
edit- Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone
- Harold Mabern – piano (tracks 1–7)
- Mike LeDonne – piano (track 8)
- Nat Reeves – bass (tracks 1–7)
- Joe Farnsworth – drums (tracks 1–7)