A beautiful album
p dizzle | augusta, georgia, USA | 10/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"mr. woods had been out of the country for a few years before recording this album in the early '70s. in the liner notes, mr. woods said he wanted an album that would reconnect him to the scene here. man, does he ever!! this album shows that bop can be infectiously swinging, not just an intellectual exercise. the real gem here is "willow weep for me" reworked as a blues incorporating an interweaving of miles davis' "all blues" (from the 'kind of blue' album). throughout, mr. woods plays the main theme, but pianist jaki byard backs it with the davis theme for an unbelievable swing. they follow this with another tune davis made famous, "nefertiti," reading it much more as a blues than the davis quintet did. "airegin" is given a solid bop workout.the band can slow it down to a sultry level as well. the ballad "the summer knows" is romantic and pure. all in all, this is a great session. thanks to 32 jazz for their great reissue program re-introducing classics like this one."
Musique de Bois - Outstanding
Jim Clark | Voorburg, Netherlands | 08/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album, along with "Souvenirs" are two of Phil Woods' finest albums. Song selection is excellent and Phil is at the height of his powers. Phil's speed on Aregin is just amazing. Furtive pops from Phil's sax show a fun and wonderous mastery of his instrument. This Japanese Pony Canyon remastering is just much more alive than the original. More silence in backgrounds. More sizzle from cymbals. The bending and decay of bass notes. Ah, Phil cooks. A must have for the Phil Woods fan."
