Search - Gerry Mulligan :: Art of Gerry Mulligan: Final Recordings

A must!

Rolf Aderhold | Hannover, Germany | 02/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're new to Gerry Mulligan, this is one of the best records to introduce you to his playing. (... and if you know Gerry, get it anyway!) This record contains samples from the three albums he recorded for Telarc before his death. Four tunes, on which he is accompanied by singer Jane Duboc, are devoted to Brazilian music. Here, Mulligan swings gently and lively, and if you think of Stan Getz as the ultimate player in Bossa Novas, think again! Duboc reminds me a little of Astrud Gilberto, but here singing is more assured and fits the tunes well, even though I would have preferred more of Gerry's sax instead. The other tunes stem from two recordings with small groups, one date presenting a line-up that includes John Scofield, Dave Grusin, Grover Washington jr. and Dave Samuels on vibes, all of which contribute nicely to the tunes. Gerry shines especially on the ballads like "Dream a Little Dream of Me" and "Funny Valentine"! Mulligan's exceptional sound, his assured, but gentle swing, and his accomplishment as a writer (he wrote most of the tunes) are well displayed here. The whole record is a must for fans and a great introduction to the work of one of the best Jazz musicians ever, whose career spanned almost fifty years. Go for it! (... or get the three individual albums, "Paraiso", "Dragonfly" and "Dream a Little Dream of Me", which all live up to the expectation raised by this record.)"