One of the greatest albums of Brazilian jazz that Bud Shank ever recorded - done with a style that's a lot more like some of the best bossa albums from Rio at the time! Bud's recorded in other bossa settings before - but there's something about this record that really gets the whole thing right - as Shank's alto and flute come into play with a killer combo that includes Clare Fischer on piano, Larry Bunker on vibes and drums, Joe Pass on guitar, and Milt Holland and Chuck Flores on percussion. The added percussion really brings a lot to the set - and gives it a strongly bossa-driven groove that really lets Shank take off on alto and flute solos. Fischer's piano is remarkably strong - caught at that clear early point in his career when he was such a fresh voice on the scene.
Long-awaited reissue of an interesting and rare masterpiece by jazz guitar virtuoso Joe Pass, who took on jazz funk! This is the first release on Gwyn Records, a minor label in California, and features a very impressive lineup. Paul Humphrey and Earl Palmer on drums, Carol Kaye (label owner) and Ray Brown on bass, J.J. Johnson, Tom Scott, and Conte Candoli on horns, this is truly a historical session that brought together the top musicians of the West Coast at the time. From the cool funk of "Better Days" at the beginning of the session, almost the entire album was a storm of jazz funk. "Free Sample" by Joe Sample, "Burning Spear," with its impressive undulating beat, "Head Start," with its too-subtle bass line, and the boogie shuffle "Gotcha!"…
Reissue with the latest 24bit remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. One of the greatest albums of Brazilian jazz that Bud Shank ever recorded — done with a style that's a lot more like some of the best bossa albums from Rio at the time! Bud's recorded in other bossa settings before — but there's something about this record that really gets the whole thing right — as Shank's alto and flute come into play with a killer combo that includes Clare Fischer on piano, Larry Bunker on vibes and drums, Joe Pass on guitar, and Milt Holland and Chuck Flores on percussion.
One of our favorite albums ever from the great Clare Fischer - and one of the first to really show his special talents at their best! The sound here is a wonderful blend of jazz, Latin, and Brazilian modes - and in addition to piano, Clare plays plenty of organ on the date - which bristles with this cool, clear sound amidst larger backdrops that have a very driving feel! There's lots of percussive energy at the bottom of the bigger group tracks - thanks to work from Latin percussionists Carlos Vidal, Cuco Martinez, Chino Valdes, and Rudy Calzado - and some of the other cuts feature a smaller group, but still with lots of great percussion! Clare's organ has this feel that's very different than the usual Hammond jazz style - and really sounds great throughout - on a batch of tracks that includes a key reading of his classic "Morning" - plus the cuts "Manteca", "Favela", "Afro Blue", "Dulzura", and "Negrita".
A sublime little set all the way through - an early 60s date from the west coast scene - and one that was almost as important to that side of the country as the Verve bossa records were to New York! Bud Shank's in the lead on alto sax - no flute at all this time around - blowing sharp and soulfully, in a way that's even more deft than most of his other albums! But the equal star here is the young Clare Fischer - who plays piano in the group, and also contributed a host of original tunes to the set - fresh numbers that are way different than the usual "bossa-ized" standards, or American remakes of Brazilian classics. Ralph Pena is a key member of the group on bass - and Larry Bunker plays some vibes as well. Titles include "Joao", "Pensativa", "Samba Guapo", "Samba Da Borboleta", and "Que Mais?".