A pair
of fantastic albums from
vibes master and genius arranger Gary McFarland – back to back on a single CD! First up is The In Sound – one
of the grooviest albums
of the 60s – a sublime blend
of jazz, bossa, and easy – and a set that definitely lives up to its title! The album's probably the most perfect realization
of the unique groove that Gary McFarland was going for back in the day – a mix
of vibes, whistling, and wordless vocals, supported by some gently funky rhythms that use a fair bit
of electric bass to underscore the groove! The lineup here is wonderful – with Bob Brookmeyer on trombone, Gabor Szabo on guitar, Grady Tate on drums, and Sadao Watanabe making a rare 60s US appearance on flute and tenor sax. Gary blends these instrumental elements perfectly for the record – and comes up with a completely unique sound that can only be described as "McFarlandy"! Amazing cuts include "Fried Bananas", "Bloop Bleep", and "Over Easy" – but the whole album's incredible, and other tracks include "The Sting
Of The Bee", "Wine & Bread", "Here I Am", "The Hills
Of Verdugo", and "The Moment
Of Truth". Soft Samba is a dream
of a record from Gary McFarland – lightly jazzy instrumentals with a warm bossa nova undercurrent! The style is incredible – a sweet blend
of vibes, guitar, and even some light whistling – often also featuring wordless jazz vocals – scatting along with the groove in a melodic and lovely kind
of way! The whole thing's incredibly charming, and even familiar tunes come across sounding quite different in McFarlands hands. Titles include "From Russia With Love", "More", "Emily", "La Vie En Rose", "The Love Goddess", and even a groovy take on "I Want To Hold Your Hand". For you true swingers, the cover includes directions for mixing a "Soft Samba Cocktail" (courtesy Spanish Sherry Institute)!
(Jazz, Now Sound)