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The Best of Bob Mintzer Big Band dates

Erik Werkman | Utrecht, Netherlands | 09/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion "Spectrum" easily is the best one of the big band albums by Bob Mintzer. This is firstly due to the fact that the tunes are the strongest and most varied sequence he has produced yet. Secondly, as the title already indicates, this album shows a wide variety of sounds and instrumentation within a big band. In fact, there are also some small ensemble pieces, like a relaxing quartet version of "My Romance". There is a wonderful feature for the late percussionist Frankie Malabe on the latin "Frankie's Tune". "Heart Of The Matter" is the album's highlight, with a wonderful building of tenor and alto solos and the awesome accompaniment on drums by Peter Erskine. As a whole I would recommend this CD over the collection "A Decade Of". In any case the ideal introduction to the art of Bob Mintzer's big band."

Mintzer Big Band Jazz At Its Best!

Bill Appel | Ashburn, Virginia USA | 01/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With an all-star lineup of 19 musicians including Randy Brecker, Bob Malach, Peter Erskine, Lincoln Gaines, Dave Bargeron and Don Grolnick put together by Bob Mintzer for 1988's "Spectrum", this 65-minute workout of pure enjoyment is absolutely big-band jazz at its finest.



The exceptional music arranged by Mintzer from start to finish includes 10 Mintzer originals as out of the total of 12 compositions on the CD, (7) are Big Band, (3) are quintet, (1) is quartet and (1) is solo saxophone.



The songs here flow with more adventure and flair than in comparison with other same period Mintzer Big Band efforts such as the 1986 "Camaouflage" which was overall more conservative and the 1991 "The Art Of The Big Band" which was somewhat less adventurous with safer material than "Spectrum" though both of those recordings were great sounding technically and very much had their own fine moments throughout.



The use of the ensemble at hand in a diverse and complete way by Mintzer presents a wide scope of styles and colors throughout for the listener to really appreciate this piece of work fully. Absolutely recommended."

This is the real deal...

Brian Blodgett | West Jordan, UT USA | 10/05/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is the real deal from Bob Minzer's band. My personal favorite was Mr. Funk. It is a swing style tune with a funk flavor in the bass line and in the trombone part.

I think "Mr. Funk" might have reference to Dave Bergeron or the bass trombone player for their awesome solos on the recording."