For All Mankind S03

Christie is an British rock band that formed in 1969 by Jeff Christie (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Vic Elmes (guitar) and Michael Blakley (drums, piano). They are best remembered for their UK chart-topping hit single "Yellow River", released in 1970. In 1971 Blakley was replaced by Bob Fenton and in 1972 Lem Lenton joined them as bass player. The band was reformed in 1974 with Roger Flavell (bass), Danny Krieger (guitar) and Terry Fogg (drums). For All Mankind is their second studio album.

Acclaimed sextet One for All makes its much-anticipated return with BIG GEORGE, its first release in seven years and its 17th. The album reunites Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, David Hazeltine, John Webber, and Joe Farnsworth, who are joined on three tracks by a very special guest saxophonist, their mentor and hero, NEA Jazz Master George Coleman.

Since One for All were first organized in 1997, the all-star sextet has had a solid core with tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, drummer Joe Farnsworth, and trumpeter Jim Rotondi, though trombonist Steve Davis and pianist David Hazeltine have appeared on most of the band's CDs. This 2001 session mixes standards, timeless jazz compositions, and solid originals by individual bandmembers. It's hard for any band to compare to the famous version of Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments" (which featured Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy, and Freddie Hubbard in addition to its composer), though One for All's interpretation is full of potent solos that aren't derivative of the landmark recording. The bold brass and reed harmonies round out a tight, fresh arrangement of Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark," while the driving chart of "Street of Dreams" showcases Alexander well…