Randy (album)

Randy
Studio album by Randy Weston
Released	1964
Recorded	October 1964
Studio	Nola Penthouse Studios, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	35:21
Label	Bakton BR 1001 Atlantic SD 1609
Producer	Donald Elfman, Naomi Yodhii
Randy Weston chronology
Highlife (1963) Randy (1964) Berkshire Blues (1965)
African Cookbook Cover

Randy (subtitled Băp!! Beep Boo-Bee Băp Beep-M-Boo Bee Băp!) is an album by American jazz pianist Randy Weston recorded in 1964 and originally released on Bakton, Weston's own label.[1] The album was later reissued in 1972 on the Atlantic label under the title African Cookbook.[2]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]

Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars, stating: "When this set was recorded in 1964, pianist Randy Weston had no luck interesting any label to release the music, so he came out with it independently on his tiny Bakton company... It is surprising that no company in the mid-1960s signed Weston up because "Willie's Tune" from the set had the potential to catch on, "Berkshire Blues" is somewhat known and the mixture of accessible bop with African rhythms overall is appealing... An excellent outing."[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Randy Weston except as indicated

1. "Berkshire Blues" – 4:55
2. "Portrait of Vivian" – 3:43
3. "Willie's Tune" – 4:06
4. "Niger Mambo" (Bobby Benson) – 5:21
5. "African Cookbook" – 12:14
6. "Congolese Children" – 2:07
7. "Blues for Five Reasons" – 3:07

Personnel

• Randy Weston – piano, celeste
• Ray Copeland – trumpet, flugelhorn, arranger (tracks 1–6)
• Booker Ervin – tenor saxophone (tracks 1–6)
• Vishnu Bill Wood – bass
• Lennie McBrowne – drums
• Big Black – percussion, vocals (tracks 4–6)
• Harold Murray – percussion (tracks 4–6)

References

1. Randy Weston catalog accessed August 16, 2012.
2. Randy/African Cookbook album entry, Randy Weston discography accessed August 16, 2012.
3. Yanow, Scott. Allmusic Review, accessed August 16, 2012