ProJazz.net

The music here is what veteran jazz fans call “real tasty.” There’s a lot to savor, from the romanticism of bossas to the frisson of up-tempo bop to the deep blue luminosity of Ellington’s “Azure,” with clarinet, not alto sax, from Woods. His one alto feature without Mann is “Blood Count,” an emotional performance fully expressing Billy Strayhorn’s wrenching meditation on mortality (AllAboutJazz).

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow:
Flutist Herbie Mann’s last record date brought him back to his roots, playing bop-oriented jazz. Actually, he co-led the session with an old friend, altoist Phil Woods, who he did not have many opportunities to play with after the 1950s. The results are delightful, with some bop standards, a few Latin tunes, and some basic originals comprising the program. The instrumentation changes from track to track, with two different rhythm sections being used and guest appearances from Gil Goldstein on accordion and trombonist Jay Ashby. Mann, who spontaneously recorded the closing “Time After Time” at a slightly later date when he was already seriously ill, sounds in prime form throughout this happy set. His final musical chapter is well worth savoring.

Track listing:

01. We Will Meet Again
02. Alvin G.
03. Azure
04. Bohemia After Dark
05. Caminhos Cruzados
06. Privave
07. Another Shade of Blues
08. Sir Charles Duke
09. Jelek
10. Blood Count
11. Little Niles
12. Time After Time

Personnel:
Herbie Mann  – flute, alto flute
Phil Woods – alto saxophone
Marty Ashby – guitar
Gil Goldstein – accordion
Jay Ashby – trombone, alto trombone, percussion
Alain Mallet – piano
Dwayne Dolphin – bass guitar
Paul Socolow – bass guitar
Ricky Sebastian – drums
Roger Humphries – drums

_____________________

Release Date: July 27, 2004
Duration: 01:04:06

Recording Date: 2002 – 2003
Recording Location:
Glen Campbell’s Home