Personnel:
Salvador Font 'Mantequilla' (ts & vln), Manolo Mercedes (tp), Pere Ferré, Ricard Miralles (p), Manuel Gas (p & vib), Rafael Lizandra, Enric Ponsa (b), Rafael Verdura, José Farreras (d)
Reference: WBSLP019 LP
Bar code: 4040824087524
For the first time ever, the legendary three rare and hard to find EPs by 'Mantequilla' y su Conjunto compiled in a lavish vinyl LP with remastered sound, new liner notes, photos and a fantastic period inspired, three backflaped, front laminated sleeve. In a stricly limited edition of 500 copies that are expected to sell out very soon, do not miss your chance of getting yours - it may be the last chance of chasing the Mantequilla sound on vinyl at a reasonable price!
Format: LP / 12" / 33rpm / MONO
Label: WAH WAH RECORDS
Catalogue Reference: WBSLP019
Recording Year: 1961-1965
Country of Pressing: SPAIN
Comments: Sealed New Copy
Cover Grade: MINT
Vinyl Grade: MINT
Salvador Font studied violin, clarinet, composition and harmony at the Conservatori Municipal de Barcelona, but very soon started to gain notoriety as a saxophonist in the rich jazz scene of 1940s Barcelona. Font would soon be playing tenor sax and clarinet in the Orquesta Gran Casino. He was in his early twenties and his hot swing technique was already praised through the citiy's scene, he would grow to be considered the best saxophonist in Spain by playing in many orchestras and combos, among them: José Puertas', Antonio Vilá's Virgina, Bonet de San Pedro's band, Pierre Michel, El Lirio Campestre, Los Marios, Luis Rovira y su orquesta, Orquesta brasileña Fon-Fon, Jaime Camino, Los Embajadores, Italo Leone's... With these and others, Font toured constantly, visiting many countries and even staying on some for long seasons: Mexico, Morocco, Switzerland, Egypt... Hungarian violinst of Turkish ancestry Kurt Dogan gave him the 'Mantequilla' surname - he felt 'Mantequilla' (which means 'butter') fit Font's mellow yet swinging improvisation style.
In the early sixties, 'Mantequilla' had the chance to lead his own combo, Mantequilla y su conjunto, with which he was to record the three splendid EPs that are compiled on the present album. All these 7' have become elusive collector pieces in the record market, with sellers demanding from 200 to as much as 950 euros per copy.
In 1961 'Mantequilla' was at his best moment, his gigs at the Jamboree Jazz Cava had brought him back to the first line of Barcelona's jazzmen after he had been working abroad for a long time, and was approached by the Belter label to record an EP. On the sessions he was accompanied by Manolo Mercedes on trumpet, Pedro Ferré on piano, Rafael Lizandra on double bass and Rafael Verdura on Drums. The material chosen for the disc were four original compositions by Salvador Font which had a high West Coast flavour all over: 'La Tuna Club', 'Whisky Jazz' and 'Jamboree' named after famous jazz clubs and 'Azul Trompeta', dedicated to Manolo Mercedes.
In late 1962, after spending some time in Madrid working as members of the Italo Leone combo, 'Mantequilla' and pianist Manuel Gas came back to Barcelona for the recording of the second 'Mantequilla' EP, also on Belter. We find again Manolo Mercedes on trumpet, Pedro Ferré on piano and Rafael Lizandra on double bass, the drummer this time was José Farreras. Another news is that Manuel Gas also sat on piano and vibraphone. The songs chosen for the occasion were two tunes from the Art Blakey Jazz Messengers repertoire: Bobby Timmons' classic 'Moanin'' and the Jacques Marray track 'No Problem' from the soundtrack of the Les liaisons dangereuses film (mispelled 'Not Problem' on the sleeve and label), plus the Salvador Font penned 'Blue Note' and 'Full de ases' - on 'Full de ases' 'Mantequilla' trades his sax for the violin, which he also mastered under high influence from Stephane Grapelli. The record was released on Belter in early 1963 and showed 'Mantequilla' adding a certain aggressivity to his sound, in a soloist style which has been compared to that of tenor saxophonists Barney Wilen or Benny Golson.
1965 was the year of release of Mantequilla y su conjunto's third EP, now on the Discophon label. Mercedes and Farreras are again present in the recording sessions, joined by Ricardo Miralles on piano and Enric Ponsa on double bass. Four original Font compositions make up the fantastic EP: 'Blues 3/4,' 'Atmósfera,' 'Vat 69' and 'Balada'.
