Acoustic Sounds and Contemporary Records present this new reissue of Phineas Newborn Jr’s 1962 Contemporary Record debut “A World of Piano!”. Recorded by legendary engineers Howard Holzer and Roy DuNann the album also features Paul Chambers (bass), Philly Joe Jones (drums), Sam Jones (bass) and Louis Hayes (drums).This new edition is pressed on 180-gram vinyl pressed at QRP with (AAA) lacquers cut from the original tapes by Bernie Grundman and is presented in a tip-on jacket.
A World of Piano! was recorded in 1961 and released in 1962. It was Newborn’s first album released under Lester Koenig’s Contemporary Records label.
Phineas Newborn earned praise and encouragement in the mid-1950s from Count Basie, John Hammond, and Ralph J. Gleason; his articulation, virtuosity, and creativity were in a class comparable only with Art Tatum or Oscar Peterson. The full scope of his gifts is apparent here, with two different rhythm sections drawn respectively from the combos of Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley. His selection of material includes works by Gillespie, Parker, Rollins, Clifford Brown, and, most notably, Billy Strayhorn, whose “Lush Life” he interprets with a rare and poignant beauty.