Art Farmer with Joe Henderson - Yama (1979) [vinyl>flac, 24-bit/48khz]

Many critics have looked upon the majority of CTI recordings as a ploy to commercialise jazz, Scott Yanow being no exception. However, when approached again with newer ears and less prejudice, Creed Taylor has certainly left a legacy of some very fine albums. This album in particular finds Art Farmer playing beautifully alongside Joe Henderson’s solid tenor; producing some very powerful Jazz-Funk/Fusion interpretations. It is an LP which I have relished for many a year. Ripped to FLAC at 24-bit/48khz I hope you also will find it just as fascinating and enjoyable.

Trumpeter Art Farmer has recorded six albums in his name for the CTI label whose enigmatic "Guanabara" with Brazilian singer Ithamara Koorax, which was never published. It is also found on the album of Bob James' BJ4 "and that of Yusef Lateef" Autophysiopsychic ". His lyrical breath, his balanced phrasing, his game while retaining, at times reminiscent of Chet Baker. Throughout his career, he faced several music styles without losing his soul or his talent, as demonstrated by this recording from 1979 with a funky rhythm section. As usual, he plays in a duo orchestra. We remember the wonderful "Big Blues" with Jim Hall recorded a year earlier. But this time, the saxophonist Joe Henderson, another jazz legend, who shares the bill. His quick game lets out moments of incredible sweetness. The texture of his sound is unique in these moments. Despite the presence of excellent classmates (Steve Gadd, Will Lee, David Spinozza, John Tropea ...), the result is rather mixed. Vibraphonist Mike Maineri, in control for the first time, seems to fail creating a real osmosis between all these musicians.  ~ ctifanblog.

Flugelhornist Art Farmer's fourth and final LP for CTI also features tenor-saxophonist Joe Henderson. The material (which includes originals by Clare Fischer, Joe Zawinul, Don Grolnick and Mike Mainieri) is not the most memorable and the funky rhythm section (which is greatly expanded) does not really blend all that well with the styles of Farmer and Henderson so this set is not as exciting as one might hope. A decent but largely forgettable effort. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

CTI Records, CTI 9000, 1979

Recorded and Mixed April 1979 at Power Station Studios, New York

Personnel:

Art Farmer - Flugelhorn

Joe Henderson - Tenor Saxophone

Don Grolnick, Warren Bernhardt, Fred Hersch - Keyboards

Mike Mainieri - Synthesizer, Vibraphone, Arranger

David Spinozza, John Tropea - Guitar

Eddie Gomez - Bass

Will Lee - Electric-Bass

Steve Gadd - Drums

Sammy Figueroa - Percussion

Suzanne Cianni - Synthesizer Programming

Track Listing:

A1. Dulzura {Clare Fischer} (8:21)

A2. Stop [I Think Again] {Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb} (4:08)

A3. Young And Fine {Joseph Zawinul} (6:26)

B1. Lotus Blossom {Don Grolnick} (6:43)

B2. Blue Montreux {Mike Mainieri} (7:12)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Associate Producer, Arranger - Mike Maineri

Engineer - Neil Dorfsman

Mastering - Rudy Van Gelder

Cover Illustration - Susannah Kelly

Cover Design & Photography [inside] - Alen MacWeeney

Design - Neal Pozner

Calligraphy - Bernard Maisner