Straight Up (Eric Alexander album)

Straight Up is the debut album by tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander. It was recorded in 1992 and released by Delmark Records.

Straight Up
Studio album by Eric Alexander
Recorded	August 21–22, 1992
Studio	Riverside Studio, Chicago
Genre	Jazz
Label	Delmark
Eric Alexander chronology
Straight Up (1992) New York Calling (1992)

Recording and music

The album was recorded at Riverside Studio, Chicago, on August 21–22, 1992.[1] The five musicians are tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Jim Rotondi, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist John Webber, and drummer George Fludas.[2]

Release and reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[2]

Straight Up was released by Delmark Records.[2] It was Alexander's first album as leader.[1] The AllMusic reviewer wrote that Alexander "has a full, bright, impressive tone, excellent facility and command of the instrument and is steadily developing a personal sound. While the tracks vary in quality, most are at worst competent and at best outstanding."[3]

Track listing

1. "Straight Up" (Eric Alexander) – 8:24
2. "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" (Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand) – 8:25
3. "Be My Love" (Nicholas Brodszky, Sammy Cahn) – 7:49
4. "Blues Waltz" (Ray Charles) – 8:05
5. "Laura" (Johnny Mercer, David Raksin) – 8:02
6. "An Oscar for Treadwell" (Charlie Parker) – 7:21
7. "The End of a Love Affair" (Edward Redding) – 8:08
8. "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster) – 7:57

Personnel

• Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone
• Jim Rotondi – trumpet
• Harold Mabern – piano
• John Webber – bass
• George Fludas – drums

References

1. Eric Alexander: Straight Up (CD liner notes). Delmark Records. Delmark 461.
2. Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2004). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (7th ed.). Penguin. p. 20.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
3. Wynn, Ron "Eric Alexander – Straight Up". AllMusic. Retrieved September 14, 2017.