Little Niles
Studio album by
Randy Weston
Released1959
RecordedOctober 1958
StudioRCA Studios, New York City
GenreJazz
LabelUnited Artists
UAL 4011
ProducerJack Lewis
Randy Weston chronology
New Faces at Newport
(1958) 		Little Niles
(1959) 		Destry Rides Again
(1959)

Little Niles is an album by American jazz pianist Randy Weston recorded in 1958 and first released on the United Artists label.[1] The album was later released as part of a Blue Note compilation under the same title. All the tracks are Weston originals and, as indicated in the LP's liner notes by Langston Hughes, the album was inspired by Weston's children Niles and Pamela, who are directly referenced in "Little Niles" and "Pam's Waltz" and feature in the cover photograph. As Hughes notes of the compositions, "All in three-quarter time, these charming little vignettes escape rigidity of beat by a fluid flow of counter-rhythms and melodies, one against another, that brings continuous delight."[2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide[4]

Allmusic awarded the album 4½ stars, with the review by Scott Yanow stating: "Overall the music is advanced bop with a strong nod toward African music. Well worth searching for".[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Randy Weston

  1. "Earth Birth" - 2:52
  2. "Little Susan" - 3:24
  3. "Nice Ice" - 2:55
  4. "Little Niles" - 6:00
  5. "Pam's Waltz" - 3:15
  6. "Babe's Blues" - 6:58
  7. "Let's Climb a Hill" - 5:53

Personnel

References

  1. ^ Randy Weston discography accessed August 13, 2012
  2. ^ "Roots Music: Randy Weston - 'Little Niles'", The Jazz Record.
  3. ^ a b Yanow, S. Allmusic Review, accessed August 13, 2012.
  4. ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 206. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
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