Art Farmer - Brass Shout/The Aztec Suite

This Gambit CD compilation combines the complete contents of two long unavailable records that Art Farmer made for United Artists. The first seven tracks come from Brass Shout, a very enjoyable collaboration with his Jazztet partner Benny Golson, who also wrote all of the arrangements for this date. The all-star cast of sidemen include trombonists Curtis Fuller and Jimmy Cleveland, plus trumpeters Lee Morgan and Ernie Royal. Golson's own "Five Spot After Dark" is an obvious highlight, as are his treatments of "Nica's Dream" and "Moanin'." Farmer, who had not yet made the switch from trumpet to flugelhorn, is in top form throughout the date. Read More