Triple Threat (Jimmy Heath album)

Triple Threat is the fourth album by saxophonist Jimmy Heath featuring performances recorded in 1962 originally released on the Riverside label.^[1]

Triple Threat
Studio album by Jimmy Heath
Released	1962
Recorded	January 4 & 7, 1962 New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	37:09
Label	Riverside RLP 400
Jimmy Heath chronology
The Quota (1961) Triple Threat (1962) Swamp Seed (1963)

Recording

Triple Threat was a follow-up of Heath's 1961 album The Quota and used the same band.^[2][3] The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings considers the lineup, which features Heath's brothers Percy and Albert, a "dry-run" for their later Heath Brothers records.^[4] The album was recorded over two sessions in January 1962. Freddie Hubbard and Julius Watkins were not present for the second session when "The More I See You" was recorded.^[5]

The song "Gemini" was written for Heath's daughter, Roslyn, whose star sign it was.^[2]

The album title was an allusion to Heath's own status as a "triple threat": musician, arranger and composer.^[6] In the album liner notes, Ira Gitler described Heath in the following way:

The triple threat in football must pass, punt, and run on a high level. Musically, Jimmy Heath approximates this by his composing, arranging and playing, all of which are ably and amply demonstrated here.^[7]

Release and reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[8]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[4]

Cannonball Adderley recorded his own version of "Gemini" only 10 days after Heath's recording.^[6] Shortly beforeTriple Threat was released in 1962, Adderley released a record featuring his version which somewhat overshadowed Heath's recording.^[9]

Scott Yanow of Allmusic says, "The arrangements of Heath uplift the straightahead music and make each selection seem a bit special".^[8] Billboard described the album as one of Heath's best sessions, praising his playing and the "directness, individuality and strength" of the compositions.^[10]

In his autobiography, Heath, a Philadelphian, recalls his pride that he was gaining recognition in his hometown upon reading a positive review of the album in the Philadelphia Daily News.^[2]

Track listing

All compositions by Jimmy Heath except as indicated

1. "Gemini" - 6:09
2. "Bruh Slim" - 5:16
3. "Goodbye" (Gordon Jenkins) - 7:04
4. "Dew and Mud" - 5:01
5. "Make Someone Happy" (Jule Styne, Betty Comden, Adolph Green) - 3:41
6. "The More I See You" (Harry Warren, Mack Gordon) - 4:18
7. "Prospecting" - 5:40

Personnel

• Jimmy Heath - tenor saxophone
• Freddie Hubbard - trumpet
• Julius Watkins - French horn
• Cedar Walton - piano
• Percy Heath - bass
• Albert Heath - drums