Well known in native France, guitarist Rene’ Thomas’s reputation didn’t get much traction in the US, but his playing is on a par with the likes of Herb Ellis and Kenny Burrell. There’s even a dash of Grant Green on some of these obscure sessions ranging from 1955-62, and while the recording sound quality sometimes varies, the music stays consistently hot on this two disc set.
Thomas displays his bop chops and loyalty from the get go, here, with a Brussels outing in ’55 showing clean lines on mid tempo pieces like “Moton” and a melodic “There Will Never Be Another You” while alto saxist Jacques Pelzer gives some Bird calls on “”Lover Man”. Thomas sounds most comfortable on some trio sessions from concerts in 1960-61, stretching out on an ultra hip “Blue Train” and giving more uptemp reads of “Motion” while the original “Milestones” is cool and suave. Thomas dos some Grant Greenish rolls on a relaxed “All Mornin’ Long” and teams with Bobby Jaspar On Flute an dJacques Hess/b with Franco Manzechi/dr for asubli me read of “It Could Happen To You”.
The second disc has Jasper on flute and tenor as he co-leads a quintet with Thomas on another take of “Milestones” featuring warm tenor tones. For a 1962 radio-TV broadcast, the twon lead a bopping team on “Oleo” and nifty Thomas original “I Remember Sonny”. Thomas leads a quartet at an Antibes Jazz festival in 1962 and bops to a rapid runner in “Our Delight” and sizzles on “Au Privave”. At the same festival, Hammond B3er Jimmy Smith comes in with his drummer Donald Bailey for an impromptu “Blues” that is as good as any vintage Blue Note Session, with the guitarist shows his acoustic tone on an intimate “Stardust” .
The liner notes give an excellent perspective on Thomas’ career, and the session listing must have been done by Sherlock Holmes. Don’t overlook this guy!
https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/rene-thomas-albums/51379-remembering-rene-thomas-2-cd.html