Search - Milt Jackson :: Jazz 'N' Samba

A real gem...

reading man | 11/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jazz and samba were mutually inclusive. Jazz Samba directly and subtly captured and held the interests of adherents to both styles.



Tommy Flanagan opens "Blues for Juanita" lyrically. Mr. Jackson and Jimmy Heath announce the theme briefly and solo, followed by the pianist. The longest piece, it sets a mellow tone, underscored superbly by bassist Richard Davis and Modern Jazz Quartet sidekick Connie Kay, whose buoyant, restrained contributions effectively sustain the entire effort.



The Ellington standard 'I Got it Bad..." is sentimental, the drummer's light brushstrokes adding a nice touch to the warm solo of the vibraphonist. Mr. Heath sits this one out, giving Mr. Jackson ample space to expand the sweet melody.



"Big George" picks up the temp, Mr Heath wailing ala Coltrane in the dominant solo. He wrote the most straight-ahead entry, "Gingerbread Boy", recorded on the Miles Davis classic, Miles Smiles.



The Jobim mainstay "Jazz and Samba" introduces samba, the feeling sustained by the work of Barry Galbraith and Howard Collins on guitar. The no-frills vocal treatment by Lillian Clark adds the right touch. Mr Heath is most relaxed here. Joe E. Ross grunts the "OO-OO" in the next song, closing with a humorous request for the listener.



Cole Porter's "I Love You" features a softer extended solo by Mr. Jackson, again with no tenor. "Kiss and Run" immediately shifts into a livelier gear, creating effective contrast, and Ms. Clark provides another solid treatment of the lyrics.



Mr. Jackson's "Jazz Bossa Nova" is intriguing, the one composition that intrinsically combines jazz and samba. This samba is ominous, dark, and frenetic, a perfect base for the driving, pulsating sound of Mr. Heath. Jazz and Samba are one.



This masterpiece is short (33+ minutes) and sweet. IIf you like Milt Jackson, or want an introduction, you will enjoy Jazz and Samba."