High quality reissue of Horace Parlan’s 1963 recording for Blue Note, from Paris based label Heavenly Sweetness. The LP features high quality sound taken from the original master tapes, 180g vinyl, heavy cardboard sleeve and the original artwork.

‘Happy Frame of Mind’ by pianist Horace Parlan was recorded in 1963 but wasn’t released properly on Blue Note until 1986. The session was originally released under Booker Ervin’s name in 1976 as part of the 2-LP set ‘Back from the Gig’ but was later released as originally intended. Alongside saxophonist Ervin the group also includes trumpeter Johnny Coles, guitarist Grant Green and drummer Billy Higgins.

The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4½ stars and stated “Happy Frame of Mind finds Horace Parlan breaking away from the soul-inflected hard bop that had become his trademark, moving his music into more adventurous, post-bop territory…it’s one of Parlan’s most successful efforts, finding the perfect middle ground between accessible, entertaining jazz and more adventurous music.”

Personnel: Horace Parlan (piano), Johnny Coles (trumpet), Booker Ervin (tenor saxophone), Grant Green (guitar), Butch Warren (bass), Billy Higgins (drums)