Sonny Cox - The Wailer

Sonny Cox - The Wailer - Cadet LP 765 - Cadet pressing, orange label

Sonny Cox - Alto Sax
Ken Prince - Organ
John Howell - Trumpet
Arthur Hoyle - Trumpet
Paul Serrano - Trumpet
John Avant - Trombone
Rubin Cooper or Lenard Druss? - Baritone Sax
Bobby Robinson or Roland Faulkner? - Guitar
Cleveland Eaton - Bass
Maurice White - Drums

Arranged and Conducted by Richard Evans

Recorded - January 1966, Ter Mar Recording Studio, Chicago (no exact date given on the sleeve)

Album Production & Supervision - Esmond Edwards
Engineer - Ron Malo
Cover Photo & Cover Design - Don Bronstein

Released : July 16, 1966 (Approx)

Well's let's get this weekend started with an elusive Cadet side and real Chicago Soul jazz groover by Sonny Cox, arranged by the Cadet legend Richard Evans no less! Cox has an interesting story; he was a veteran of the Chicago scene cutting several sides as part of 'The Three Souls' group on Argo before cutting this one and only solo side in 1966. He eventually dropped out of the jazz scene in the early 70s and then made the transition to becoming a legendary Chicago High School basketball coach!

The title track, 'The Wailer' is a real killer and has surfaced on assorted compilations, but it's nice to hear it now in its full context as part of the complete LP. Gotta dig those wonderful jazzy and soulful horn arrangements by Richard Evans as well... Future Earth, Wind and Fire leader Maurice White is on this side too - in his early days as a jazz session drummer for Chess! This side had a limited Japan only CD release a decade ago (now deleted of course), but so far this side has received no domestic reissue. Good fidelity again from the original Cadet vinyl.

Dusty Groove's Review: Nice bit of Chicago soul jazz, recorded by alto player Sonny Cox after he left the group the Three Souls. Cox rightfully earns the name of "wailer" on this one, and he's backed by a strong set of jazzy arrangements by Richard Evans that lets his horn blossom in all its soulful glory. Cox lays out a great original called "The Wailer", contributes another cut called "Hoggin'", and does a great version of Richard Evans' "Soulero". There's also a version of "Berimbau" that's got a nice soul jazz bossa sound, and the album's a solid groover all the way through!

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