Customer Reviews

Complete Studio Recording

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These Mulligan Sextet studio recordings feature 1962's Limelight recording, "Butterfly with Hiccups" and "Night Lights" a 1963 Verve recording. As on the Mulligan Quartet studio compilation that complements this reissue disc, Mulligan's baritone saxophone is accompanied by Bob Brookmeyer's valve trombone. These two are augmented by Art Farmer on trumpet and flugelhorn and Jim Hall on guitar. As with the quartet, Bill Crow on bass and Dave Bailey on drums round out the rhythm section with Mulligan playing piano when he thinks it's needed. The songs are mostly Mulligan originals like "Line for Lyons," "Butterfly with Hiccups," and "Festive Minor." There are some standards--"Old Devil Moon," and "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" and a delightful rendition of "Manha de Carnaval" from "Black Orpheus." The disc features a good balance of ballads and up-tempo numbers. And always there is that delicate interplay and lyricism that characterizes Jim Hall's playing with everyone. Brookmeyer, Farmer, Mulligan, and Hall do play fine music together with ample counterpoint to make the ensembles interesting and adequate solo space for all the players. And you get to hear some of that Mulligan piano---more than competent---on ""Theme for Jobim" and "Blues for Lynda." If you don't know this West Coast jazz, you owe it to yourself to listen to some--and this disc is a great place to start.

I have loved this recording since I first heard it 35 years ago. A friend had it on vinyl (how I heard it) but gave his copy away years ago. An all-star group with JIM HALL to boot! I am so excited about the prospect of hearing this extraordinary album again. If you love this era of be-bop / cool jazz, BUY IT TODAY! You won't be sorry.