Matador - Plak

Chris Bellman cut Matador from the original analog master tape, and the sound is a revelation! The dense acoustics of Soundmaker Studios provide tight bass, crystal clear drums, and beautifully rounded tones from Dorham and McLean's horns. This is another fine example of Impex Records shedding the baggage of modern music making to reveal the essence of the music and the great talents they have created. We are delighted to reintroduce this sadly neglected classic to the collection of true fans and (perhaps more importantly) to a whole new generation for the first time.

Sometimes in our search for potential new releases, we come across a true gem that has somehow escaped the mainstream. Our all-analog HQ-180 LP from Matador by trumpeter Kenny Dorham and his quintet is the most recent and perhaps most crystal clear example of this. There has never been a single 180-gram pressing. It has been reissued (officially) only once in 50 years. When you hear it, you'll be scratching your head as to why this underrated gem was lost for so long.

'Matador' was recorded in a single day in 1962. It features Jackie McLean's epic 'Melanie,' Dorham's 'El Matador,' and a rousing version of 'Beautiful Love.' Nuanced support from Bobby Timmons (piano), Teddy Smith (bass) and J. C. Moses (drums) accompanies the exchange of mesmerizing solos by trumpeter Kenny Dorham and saxophonist Jackie McLean. Emotional musical explorations combine with accessible post-bop structures to create a stirring mix that appeals to feet, head and heart alike.