Frank Foster - Soul Outing! (1966) {1998 OJC} **[RE-UP]**

This CD reissue from 1998 brings back tenor saxophonist Frank Foster's second date as a leader after leaving Count Basie's Orchestra in 1964 after an 11-year stint. Foster, who would become more influenced by John Coltrane as time passed, is heard playing five fairly modern tunes: three of his originals and two songs from the musical Golden Boy. With the assistance of trumpeter Virgil Jones, pianist Pat Rebillot, Bob Cunningham or Richard Davis on bass, drummer Alan Dawson and (on two numbers) guitarist Billy Butler, Foster plays in a variety of modern mainstream styles from the era including funk, Latin, a bit of gospel and more straight-ahead. The overall results are not that memorable but they do show Foster growing beyond the world of Count Basie.

This 1966 session lives up to its title, offering the strong, comfortable appeal of a solid Lee Morgan record. Soul Outing was Foster's second Prestige record after concluding an 11-year stint in the Count Basie band in 1964 (the first, Fearless, was also recently issued on CD). Although he'd developed a reputation as an ace arranger, Foster spotlights his own warm, muscular tenor soulfulness here.

He's in a compatible quintet performing three originals and two numbers from the Broadway play Golden Boy. Foster's “Show the Good Side” has the gospel soul of a Bobby Timmons number. And the Lee Morgan stamp is all over the Sidewinder-swing of Foster's “Skankaroony” and the Latin lilt of “Night Song.” The two covers get muscular samba readings and trumpeter Virgil Jones makes a good foil as Lee Morgan to Foster's Hank Mobley. Guitarist Billy Butler is also featured in a small rhythm role on “Show The Good Side” and “Night Song.”

Foster went on to form his own jazz orchestra, the Loud Minority, and a stint with Elvin Jones before returning as director of the Basie orchestra. Today he's back to making strong, terrific music like this strong, timeless jazz classic. Recommended.