This is a fine collection of orchestrated ballads by the underrated pop-jazz baritone singer
Arthur Prysock. After an extended stint with jump-blues bandleader
Buddy Johnson in the '40s,
Prysock cut solo sides in the '50s and '60s for Decca, Mercury, King, Verve, and various small labels. The songs on Jazz 'Round Midnight all come from Verve recordings cut throughout the '60s and feature
Prysock's sensual pipes framed by tasteful strings and blues-tinged combo accompaniment (alongside Ram Ramirez's fine organ work, brother
Red Prysock contributes a handful of smoky tenor solos akin to those heard on his own solo R&B instrumentals from the '50s). Highlights include excellent renditions of "Little Girl Blue," "I'll Be Around," and "(I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance," in addition to rarely recorded gems such as "How Did She Look" and "Only for You." For jazz vocal fans who frown upon the lush, more pop oriented end of the genre, this title is not for you. If you like the kind of stylized "bedroom soul" and jazz vocals
Billy Eckstine,
Johnny Hartman, and even
Barry White, to some extent, excelled at, then this
Prysock collection is a great buy. ~ Stephen Cook