Chico Hamilton

Verve By Request continues its essential reissue series with Chico Hamilton's "The Dealer", a previously overlooked 1966 gem that captures one of jazz's most innovative drummers at a pivotal creative moment – and marks the recording debut of future fusion pioneer Larry Coryell. While Hamilton built his reputation discovering and nurturing young talent throughout his decades as a bandleader, "The Dealer" represents one of his most prescient finds. Coryell's solid and mellow performance lends a distinctive bluesy edge to Hamilton's soul-jazz explorations, hinting at the revolutionary guitar work that would later reshape jazz-rock.

The album centers on Hamilton's own compositions, showcasing his evolution from cool jazz pioneer to soul-jazz innovator. The spirited standout "For Mods Only" deserves special mention – a infectious boogaloo composed by free jazz saxophonist Archie Shepp, who makes a rare and revelatory appearance on piano for the track.

"The Dealer" captures that magical mid-60s moment when jazz was absorbing R&B rhythms and electric instruments, with Hamilton's distinctive polyrhythmic approach providing the perfect framework for these cross-genre experiments. The session's relaxed groove and adventurous spirit reflect both Hamilton's keen ear for talent and his willingness to embrace jazz's expanding boundaries.

This Verve By Request edition presents "The Dealer" with the audiophile pressing quality the music deserves, finally giving this underappreciated session its due recognition in the Hamilton discography.