Bud Powell's "Parisian Thoroughfare" receives a spirited treatment on this 1954 recording from the Clifford Brown & Max Roach quintet, captured during the sessions for their celebrated self-titled EmArcy album. Powell's composition, built on the chord changes of "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," is an AABA form in F major taken at a brisk medium-up tempo. The piece opens with a distinctive introduction before the ensemble states the melody, evoking the bustling energy of a Parisian street. Harold Land leads off the solo section with one chorus of tenor saxophone, his lines navigating the harmony with fluency and rhythmic assurance. Clifford Brown then delivers two stunning trumpet choruses, his improvisations marked by the long, flowing phrases and bright, singing tone that defined his artistry. Richie Powell follows with a piano solo that pays subtle homage to the tune's composer while asserting his own voice. Max Roach rounds out the improvisation with a drum solo that showcases his ability to build thematic statements within the song's structure. The performance stands as a testament to the quintet's remarkable cohesion, with each member contributing to a collective intensity that helped establish this group as one of the most important small ensembles in jazz.
