VG/VG

Cool jazz 1968

This one caches Harold Vick in two modes. First a more intimate quartet setting, ("Ode to Trane" with the great rhythm section of Grady Tate on drums and Bob Cranshaw on bass, and lovely understated solos from Vick and a young Herbie Hancock (between the "Blow Up" and "Fat Albert" soundtracks is worth the price of admission alone). Three other tracks feature this line up. Secondly, and for the remainder of the selections, they are joined by a female chorus, combined with the kind of tightly orchestrated quasi-classical arrangements that make for a somewhat dated cocktail jazz sound, albeit a rather fun, breezy one in a kitsch sort of way. Quality of performance never dips, and all arrangements are tastefully done. Unsurprisingly, it works best on the material which derives from movies ("This Hotel", "Watch What Happens", and "Eloquence").