Search - Gary Mcfarland :: Soft Samba

Early McFarland Gets Japanese Re-issue

justin d. baron | joplin, mo | 04/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a Japanese re-issue of one of Gary McFarland's first forays into "popular music."



By modern standards, this sounds like what you'd imagine them to play at an urban 1960s cocktail party: latin rhythms and a vibraphone, wordless, disembodied male vocals. If you are into all-things-retro, this will compliment your tastes.



Gary McFarland's profile was rising in jazz as an arranger and producer, having already crafted respected albums with artists such as Bill Evans. This album was perceived as a step in more commercial directions, what with its covers of Beatles tunes, film themes, and all. This didn't make it popular with jazz critics of the time, generally known for being snobby, anyways.



Now that Gary McFarland is being increasingly remembered, there are similarly increasing numbers of McFarland-related reissues like this to be found. It is generally accepted that his follow-up --- The In Sound --- is the better album, but don't let that knowledge cause you to overlook Soft Samba!



Soft Samba may not have Gabor Szabo, but it does have Kenny Burrell and Antonio Carlos Jobim on guitar. It has Willie Bobo on percussion. It has "yeah, yeah, yeah" as the only readily identifiable lyrics on an album otherwise full of vocals.



For these reasons and more, please introduce yourself to this album and to the thoroughly enjoyable repertoire of Gary McFarland. Enjoy!"

Soft, Sensual, Samba

Ann Howard | Tulsa, OK United States | 04/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a must for all samba lovers - Gary uses his scat vocals like an instrument which makes a very sexy mix. La Vie en Rose is my fav because the arrangement is so fresh even after all these years!"

Soft Samba Here I come!

H D. MEIJ | Jipsinghuizen, Holland | 01/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one of the nicest albums by Gary McFarland.
Very commercially, but is that too bad?
High point California Here I come. Splendid arrangements too."