Release Date: 1961 (recorded 3 April - 4 April 1961)
Song Count: 17
Rating: 7.2/10
Description:
From a pair of absolute juggernauts in the scene of Jazz, singer and trumpeter Louis Armstrong and pianist and composer Duke Ellington's collaboration album The Great Summit - The Master Takes is one that is, compared to the rest of both of their discographies, frequently overlooked and not paid nearly as much attention to. However, it is in works like these that showcase a unique side to these beloved musicians beyond just their most striking and popular pieces of music.
Each track within this album differentiates itself from the rest whilst keeping its classic jazz sound and music coherency, consisting of piano and accompanying instruments playing in harmony with Armstrong's powerful voice usually laying atop. The melodies flow with both utmost grace and high amounts of energy, and showcase Ellington's song composition skills and Armstrong's vocal presence in their habitat, collabing together to create a grand set of 17 tracks.
Perhaps with added experience of jazz will make this record age like fine wine in my head, though currently looking in from an outsider, I perhaps may not be able to appreciate the album in its fullest just yet - only time will tell how my perspective on it will change over time. Currently, however, The Great Summit is not an outright outstanding but yet still an enjoyable work of art, and properly discovering the two musical legends behind the album through it was a great experience overall, intriguing me further into the rest of both Louis Armstrong's and Duke Ellington's discography, and their lifelong dedication within the world of jazz music as a whole.