A beautiful group, and one with a very unique sound – a style that draws from the early 50s experiments in Brazilian jazz by
Bud Shank and
Laurindo Almeida – but which also moves the approach into even more sophisticated 70s territory! The quartet features
Almeida on acoustic guitar and
Bud Shank on some wonderful reeds – plus bass from Ray Brown and drums from Shelly Manne, but players who are open to all the new ideas of
Bud and
Laurindo, but who can also throw in a stronger groove when needed. The album's a wonderful experiment in really pushing the envelope of jazz expression further – but never in any sort of outside ways – and titles include a reading of Ravel's "Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte", plus "C'Est What", "Corcovado", "Autumn Leaves", "Samba De Orfeu", and "Reveil".
(Original Japanese pressing, with obi and insert. Obi has light smudges in front.)