Integrated jazz bands werent seen as crazy and wild by jazz fans and musicians, but its still cool to see a blatant example of it so early in the 50s.Both would do much to popularize the laid-back, more academic sound of jazz that blew in from the Coast.The music was revolutionary for 1952, and it still sounds fresh today.In fact, so classic is the music that Allknowing Allmusic gave the album a rare five stars.
Their unique approach to music came to be labeled as cool or West Coast jazz, relying on intricate improvisations, with Mulligans inventive, lyrical baritone being well complemented by Baker, an unschooled player who possessed a gift for playing by ear. Opening the album, it set the tone for the rest of the record. The thing I love about the track though is how Hamilton somehow misses the beat during Mulligans solo break, resulting in the drums being like a beat and a half ahead of the rest of the band. It sounds like Hamilton knows something is off, as he continually tries to get back on beat. He doesnt get back on time until the middle section, and its amazing to hear how the the rest of the group manages not to get thrown off by the wonky time. For whatever reason, they kept the take instead of re-doing it. Chet Bakers trumpet work here is fantastic, especially considering he was playing by ear. Like wow. Mulligans statements are equally impressive, and before we know it the song is over. ![]() Paul Desmond was a huge fan of both Gerry Mulligan and his piano-less quartet sound, and later fulfilled his desire to both replicate the format on his own record date and record with Mulligan. This piano-less format would become a more common instrumentation as the 1950s marched on, with everyone from Lennie Niehaus and Sonny Rollins to John Coltrane and Don Cherry recording without the help of a piano. The photograph that makes up the cover is visually interesting, taken from above as the fellas in the group gaze up at the camera. Each guy is holding their instrument (and in the case of the bass player, a cigarette) and is arranged facing all the points on a compass. Theres a different facial expression on each face, which I find intriguing. Chico is the only guy grinning outright, while Gerry has a mischievous look. Young Chets smoldering matinee looks are already evident, while Bobs blank stare is hard to decipher. Is he just a nonplussed kind of dude Is his bass hurting his leg Has the cigarette begun to burn his finger Questions that need answers. Simple, no frills, with the important info in all caps and enlarged. The words frame the gentlemen, although Im not sure why the tunes on side two are listed first. Add to the mystery the incorrect record number in the top right corner. Jazz has always been a much more tolerant and inclusive field amidst the hate and ignorance that was (and is) America, and this was especially visible during the first half of the 20th Century.
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