1. Papa Lips
2. Lazy Day
3. I Hear a Rhapsody
4. Latin Dance
5. Truth
6. Mr Fonebone
Bob Mintzer – Tenor sax, flute, piccolo, clarinet
David Sanborn – Soprano sax, alto sax
Michael Brecker – Tenor sax, flute
Marvin Stamm, Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker, Laurie
Frink - Trumpets
Pete Yellin - Alto sax, flute
Lawrence Feldman – Tenor sax, flute, piccolo
Roger Rosenberg - Baritone sax, flute
Dave Bargeron, Bob Smith, Keith O'Quinn –
Trombones
Don Grolnick - Piano
Dave Taylor - Bass trombone (tracks 1, 2,
4-6)
George Moran – Bass trombone (track 3)
Carla Poole – Flute (track 6)
Will Lee – Bass (tracks 1, 3, 5)
Tom Barney – Bass (tracks 2, 4, 6)
Peter Erskine – Drums
Frankie Malabe – Congas (tracks 1, 4)
This
album was recorded in 1983 but has apparently
not been released before. Reedman Bob Mintzer
formed this big band in 1982 and it originally
played at a Greenwich Village club owned by
the Brecker Brothers. The Breckers are on
this album, along with many other starry names.
The CD’s title is a reference to Bob Mintzer's
nickname.
Bob
Mintzer is probably best know from his long
stint with the Yellowjackets – a group which,
because it is pigeon-holed as a jazz-fusion
band, tends to be ignored by critics who think
themselves superior - even though Mintzer
is a fine player, arranger and composer. He
has played in the big bands of Buddy Rich
and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and recorded several
big-band albums under his own leadership,
so he has plenty of experience of this genre.
In fact the music here is very much in the
mainstream tradition of big bands, which is
not always a good thing. With such first-class
musicians in the band, there’s no bad playing
but Mintzer sometimes falls into a conventional
style of big-band arranging. One trouble with
having so many musicians is that you feel
obliged to find things for them to do. This
too often means that sections are dealt with
en bloc, creating a monolithic sound
which leaves little breathing space except
when the soloists are allowed to stretch out
– and even then they usually have to be accompanied
by backing riffs. Another drawback is that
the album lasts barely more than 42 minutes
which, in this day and age, seems like short
change.
Despite
these faults, there’s a lot of good music
on this CD. The title track is a catchy number,
with strong solos from trombonist Dave Bargeron
and trumpeter Randy Brecker. Mintzer himself
states the theme for Lazy Day and plays
a solo which mixes relaxation with passion.
Mintzer’s arrangement leaves plenty of space
and uses dynamics skillfully. I Hear a
Rhapsody is the only non-original tune
on the album, featuring Michael Brecker’s
deft tenor sax.
Latin
Dance suggests bright exotic rhythms but
the track fails to evoke the necessary lightness
of touch, tending to sound ponderous rather
than danceable, although Dave Sanborn’s alto
solo floats cheerfully in the air. Bob Mintzer
is spotlighted in the meditative Truth,
proving that he is a major tenor-saxist who
deserves more attention. The album ends with
Mr Fonebone, again displaying the leader’s
skills.
Re-reading
this review, I realise I may have over-emphasised
its failings and not made enough of its positive
qualities, which include faultless section
playing, inventive arrangements, enjoyable
solos and lustrous recorded sound. I guess
that I’m just looking for a little more individuality.
Tony
Augarde
CD Reviews
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