Customer Reviews

Goodbye

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4 star:		(2)
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The previous reviewer called this "smooth jazz," but it's not "smooth jazz" as radio & marketing people currently use the term. Despite the 1973 recording date and the occasional presence of an electric piano, it's not an attempt at crossover fusion, either. It's just the kind of record you usually might expect from Milt Jackson, away from the MJQ. Just some excellent, straight-ahead bop, delivered with the greatest of taste.

On four of these cuts, Jackson is joined by Hubert Laws, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, and Steve Gadd. I think the combination of the vibes and Hubert Laws' flute sounds particularly nice. The second track, 'SKJ,' is a leftover from the Sunflower session in '72, with Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Billy Cobham, and others; but it fits the program perfectly.

If you're normally a fan of Milt Jackson or the other players, don't hesitate. Good stuff from the CTI vault.

This jewel, a 1974 CTI recording, presents with sweet sonic clarity, a straight ahead jazz quintet of the highest caliber and creativity - without any of the sometimes cumbersome and distracting orchestral arrangements. The five tunes in the program range in time from almost 6 minutes to just over 9, and this allows ample time for Milt Jackson, Hubert Laws and Cedar Walton to tell mature, memorable improvisatory tales within the tunes' structures. The rest of the stellar rhythm section comprises the ubiquitous bassist of the era, Ron Carter, and, the then fiercely up-n'-coming, Steve Gadd - whose jazz playing is not often fully appreciated for what it is here: a rare thing of beauty! This disc rates among the best of its kind from the 70's, and joins the likes of another CTI favorite of mine from the period, 1975's Jim Hall session, CONCIERTO... either of these recordings will stand up to repeated listenings, again, and again, and again, and ... . DID YA GET IT YET??

PS:It's almost unforgivable to forget mentioning that the second track, "SKJ", a mid tempo, riff-blues - leftover from Milt's earlier SUNFLOWER session - is included in this set. It features, alongside Milt and Ron, Herbie Hancock at the keys, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, percussionist Ralph McDonald, Jay Berliner on guitar, and the precision swing of Billy Cobham on traps. NOW GO, GET AN EARFUL... You won't be sorry... I promise!!

I got this for Hubert Laws' and Cedar Walton's playing. They both sound wonderful on this CD! Clean execution, great phrasing, and interesting melodic choices. It's a nice CD and their playing on it elevates the CD to high rotation around the house.

Mellow, and very Jazzy.I recommened All Mr. Jacksons early 70's cd's.Most have G.Benson,or F.Hubbard or in this case Hubert Laws.A must buy.

one of which I'll give to some good friends.

Seriously , this is one really excellent hard bop session unique because it was the only Milt Jackson recording for Creed Taylor's CTI label. Incidentally it also reached #24 on Billboard's Jazz albums for 1974.

I like it because Milt Jackson played in top form, futist Hubert Laws creates a nice sound complementing the vibes, and the rhythm leaves nothing to be desired with Cedar Walton, Ron Carter and Steve Gadd who definitely add to the excitement. A completely different group plays on "SKJ", that being Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock Billy Cobham, guitarist Jay Berliner and once again, bassist Ron Carter..........what's not to like? I love the sound of the electronic keyboards which was really in vogue back then.

Milt's style of alternating quick runs of bebop with the luxurious slower passages and tempi are never more evident than on this cd.

There are only five selections but they are nice and stretched out. It's a cd that will give you tremendous listening pleasure from an artist, the likes of whom we will probably never see or hear again.

Smooth jazz at its finest..if you like smooth, cruising jazz
this is for you. A must have for all jazz advocates.