Ease It

Ease It
Studio album by Rocky Boyd Quintet
Released	1961
Recorded	March 13, 1961
Studio	Bell Sound (New York City)
Genre	Jazz
Length	39:42 (original LP)
Labels	Jazztime Records (JTL 001) Black Lion (BLCD 760119)
Producer	Fred Norsworthy
Kenny Dorham chronology
Whistle Stop (1961) Ease It (1961) Inta Somethin' (1961)
Alternative cover
Black Lions West 42nd Street

Ease It is a jazz album credited to Rocky Boyd's Quintet, featuring Kenny Dorham on trumpet. It is the only known recording by the saxophonist, and was first released by Jazztime Records (JTL 001). It was also released by Muse Records as Ease It! (MR 5053). In 1989, Black Lion released an edition on CD titled West 42nd Street, credited to Kenny Dorham, which comprised all the takes from the session.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
DownBeat
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide

The contemporaneous DownBeat reviewer commented on a strong John Coltrane influence on Boyd, but stated that little was expressed emotionally, and concluded that, "On the whole, this is a depressing and disappointing date".

Track listing

Ease It (1961) (1974 Muse)

1. "Avars" (Boyd) – 7:42
2. "Stella by Starlight" (Young, Washington) – 5:05
3. "Why Not?" (LaRoca) – 7:26
4. "Ease It!" (Paul Chambers) – 10:35
5. "Samba De Orfeu" (Luiz Bonfá) – 4:31
6. "West 42nd Street" (Hardin) – 4:23

West 42nd Street (1989)

1. "Avars" [Take 3] – 7:42
2. "Stella by Starlight" [Take 1] – 5:05
3. "Stella by Starlight" [Take 2] – 5:17
4. "Why Not?" [Take 1] – 7:26
5. "Why Not?" [Take 2] – 9:17
6. "Ease It!" [Take 1] – 10:35
7. "Samba De Orfeu" [Take 5] – 4:31
8. "Samba De Orfeu" [Take 6] – 4:29
9. "West 42nd Street" [Take 7] – 3:51
10. "West 42nd Street" [Take 8] – 4:23

Personnel

• Kenny Dorham – trumpet
• Rocky Boyd – tenor sax
• Walter Bishop Jr. – piano
• Ron Carter – bass
• Pete LaRoca – drums