ProJazz.net

It’s Magic is the third album by American jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln featuring tracks recorded in 1958 for the Riverside label.

“Because Abbey Lincoln has always been careful to sing songs that have a deep meaning for her, all of her recordings through the years are memorable in their own way; there are no duds in her discography. Her second Riverside session (and her third recording), It’s Magic has been reissued on this CD in the Original Jazz Classics series. The backup musicians are among the best in jazz at the time (Kenny Dorham or Art Farmer on trumpet, trombonist Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson on tenor, Jerome Richardson or Sahib Shihab on reeds, pianist Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers or Sam Jones on bass, and drummer Philly Joe Jones) and they have opportunities to play short solos. Lincoln is heard at her early best on such numbers as “I Am in Love,” “An Occasional Man,” “Out of the Past” and Randy Weston’s “Little Niles.” Recommended.” – Scott Yanow/Allmusic.

Track listing:
“I Am in Love” (Cole Porter) – 2:49
“It’s Magic” (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 4:03
“Just for Me” (Jimmy Komack) – 3:36
“An Occasional Man” (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin) – 3:23
“Ain’t Nobody’s Business” (Porter Grainger, Everett Robbins) – 4:29
“Out of the Past” (Benny Golson, Jon Hendricks) – 4:46
“Music, Maestro, Please!” (Herb Magidson, Allie Wrubel) – 3:18
“Love” (Blane, Martin) – 2:41
“Exactly Like You” (Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh) – 2:55
“Little Niles” (Randy Weston, Hendricks) – 5:03
Recorded in New York City on July 24 (tracks 3-5, 7 & 9) and August 15 (tracks 1, 2, 6, 8 & 10), 1958

Personnel:
Abbey Lincoln – vocals
Kenny Dorham (tracks 3-5, 7 & 9), Art Farmer (tracks 1, 2, 6, 8 & 10) – trumpet
Curtis Fuller – trombone (tracks 1, 3, 4, 7 & 8)
Benny Golson – tenor saxophone
Jerome Richardson (tracks 3, 4 & 7), Sahib Shihab (tracks 1 & 8) – baritone saxophone, flute
Wynton Kelly – piano
Paul Chambers (tracks 3-5, 7 & 9), Sam Jones (tracks 1, 2, 6, 8 & 10) – bass
Philly Joe Jones – drums

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Released: 1958
Recorded: July 24 and August 15, 1958
New York City
Length: 35:48
Label: Riverside
RLP 12-277
Producer: Orrin Keepnews