The Ringer is an album by American jazz trumpeter-composer Charles Tolliver and his quartet Music Inc., recorded in 1969 and released the following year by the British label Polydor Records. The album's US release followed in 1975.

The Ringer
Original UK release
Studio album by
Charles Tolliver and Music Inc.
Released1970
RecordedJune 2, 1969
StudioPolydor (London)
GenreJazz
Length39:14
LabelPolydor
Producer
  • Alan Bates
  • Chris Went
Charles Tolliver chronology
Paper Man
(1968)
The Ringer
(1970)
Music Inc.
(1971)
Alternate cover
1975 US release by Arista Records

Recording and release

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The Ringer was the first album Tolliver recorded with his quartet Music Inc., formed with pianist Stanley Cowell.[1] They recorded the songs in a session for Polydor Records[2] on June 2, 1969, at the record label's studio in London. The recording was produced by Alan Bates,[3] Polydor's record producer and A&R executive.[1] The label released the album in the UK the following year.[4] Bates' own label Freedom Records later released The Ringer in Europe and Japan, while Arista Records distributed it in the US in 1975.[1]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide     [5]
Tom Hull – on the WebA−[6]

In his review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow states "Tolliver is heard at the peak of his creative powers; it is strange that he never received the fame and recognition that he deserved".[3]

Track listing

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All compositions are by Charles Tolliver.

  1. "Plight" – 7:09
  2. "On the Nile" – 12:31
  3. "The Ringer" – 5:46
  4. "Mother Wit" – 8:46
  5. "Spur" – 5:02

Personnel

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Information is taken from AllMusic.[3]

Musicians

Technical personnel

  • Alan Bates – production
  • Carlos Olms – engineering
  • Chris Whent – production
  • Valerie Wilmer – liner notes

References

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  1. ^ a b c Waring, Charles (November 5, 2020). "Connecting The Dots; Jazz Trumpet Legend Charles Tolliver Talks About His New Album And More…". Soul and Jazz and Funk. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  2. ^ Conrad, Thomas (June 2018). "Charles Tolliver: Last Man Standing" (PDF). The New York City Jazz Record. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Yanow, Scott. The Ringer – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  4. ^ Russonello, Giovanni (December 20, 2020). "Stanley Cowell, Jazz Pianist With a Wide Range, Dies at 79". The New York Times. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 192. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
  6. ^ Hull, Tom (n.d.). "Grade List: Charles Tolliver". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
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