Search - Cal Tjader :: Jazz Round Midnight

Good Intro for the Softer Side of Cal Tjader......

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 09/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"which is to be expected since the excellent Jazz 'Round Midnight series focuses on that type of mood.



All of the selections are taken from 1961 thru 1967 and all are in a Latin groove. Two of the selections feature vocalist Anita O'Day. "Sunset Boulevard" gives a credit for a vocalist but is strictly an instrumental.



My particular favorites are "On Green Dolphin Street" featuring some nice flute work by Paul Horn, "Sally's Tomato", a long forgotten Mancini original from the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "The Loner", unfamiliar to me until this album, "Misty", and "Somewhere in the Night", the theme from a long ago television series, "The Naked City". This arrangement is fine but I prefer one recorded on the Fantasy label in 1971 on the album "Agua Dolce" which also included an excellennt rendition of "Invitation".



The only cut I didn't especially care for was the version of "'Round Midnight" with a Spanish vocal which to me is a stretch for a Thelonious Monk composition.



This, again, is a good introduction to one facet of Cal Tjader's music, and is particularly fine for anyone who likes late night music, vibes, soft Latin music, or fans of Cal Tjader of which I am one."

A very good sampler.

GA Russell | Four Oaks, NC United States | 07/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this sampler because it has Hip Walk on it.I've never heard a bad Cal Tjader record. This sampler is a good collection from a number of mid-60s Verve albums.Tjader's Verve albums have the highest production values, thanks to Creed Taylor.As part of Verve's Jazz 'Round Midnight series, this collection offers (for the most part) romantic music; but all of his Verve albums were romantic, so this one does not stand out in that regard."