Beat - Roy Brooks (1LP Vinyl)

Condition: Sealed (New)

Beat by Roy Brooks.

One of the more fascinating footnotes in the Motown story, this is jazz that emerged from an unlikely corner of Berry Gordy's empire. Originally issued in 1964 on Workshop Jazz, a short-lived subsidiary of Motown Records, it captures drummer Roy Brooks leading a session under the watchful eye of Gordy himself, alongside producers Henry Cosby and William Stevenson. That Motown pedigree, more famous for soul than swing, gives the record a distinct identity, and this 2022 Verve reissue—supervised by Ken Druker with mastering by Ryan Smith—brings it back into circulation.

Musically, the date assembles a formidable band. Brooks drives things from the kit with the kind of hard-bop propulsion that made his reputation, while trumpeter Blue Mitchell and tenor saxophonist Junior Cook—both familiar from Horace Silver's classic groups—supply the front-line fire. George Bohanon's trombone adds warmth and heft to the ensemble voicings, and the rhythm section of Hugh Lawson on piano and Gene Taylor on bass keeps everything grounded and swinging. It's a genuine players' record, rich with soloing and interplay.

For collectors, the appeal is layered: an obscure Motown jazz artifact, faithfully reissued with liner notes by Susan Lynn Mathison detailing the musicians' roles. Housed in period-correct packaging with its plain white inner sleeve, it rewards close listening while filling a curious gap in any serious jazz shelf.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Homestretch
A2. If You Could See Me Now
A3. Passin' The Buck
B1. Soulin'
B2. Soulsphere
B3. My Secret Passion

Credits:
Gene Taylor - Bass
Bernard Yeszin - Cover [Cover Design], Design [Cover Design]
Wallace Mead - Cover [Cover Design], Design [Cover Design]
Roy Brooks - Drums
Ryan Smith (2) - Lacquer Cut By
Susan Lynn Mathison - Liner Notes
Ryan Smith (2) - Mastered By [Reissue Mastering]
Hugh Lawson - Piano
Berry Gordy - Producer [Produced By]
Henry Cosby - Producer [Produced By]
William Stevenson - Producer [Produced By]
Ken Druker - Supervised By [Reissue Supervisor]
Junior Cook - Tenor Saxophone [Saxman]
George Bohanon - Trombone
Blue Mitchell - Trumpet [Trumpeter]

Notes:
Came with a plain white inner sleeve with curved corners.

[Catalog numbers]
B0036050-01 <> Spine, back cover and labels
220 <> Front and back covers
220 S <> Spine
WS 220 <> Labels

Labels have 'Side 1' and 'Side 2'.

The roles of the musicians are included in the Liner Notes.

[From back cover]
© Copyright, 1964 Motown Record Corporation
workshop A Division of Motown Record Corporation
A Verve Records release; Originally released in 1964 on Workshop Jazz, a subsidiary of Motown Records © 2022 UMG Recordings, Inc., 1755 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 - U.S.A.
Distributed by Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

[From labels]
Produced by Cosby & Stevenson
A Verve Records release; Originally released in 1964 on Workshop Jazz, a subsidiary of Motown Records © 2022 UMG Recordings, Inc.

[From 'Verve by Request' hype sticker]
Manufactured at Third Man Pressing in Detroit MI
180g audiophile quality vinyl

[Runouts]
Etched except 'STERLING' is stamped.

Artist: Roy Brooks

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Workshop Jazz

Catalog Number: B0036050-01

Release Year: 2022

Country: Germany