Art Farmer Quintet
The Time And The Place


Ruby Braff
Hi-Fi Salute to Bunny
Mosaic Singles


Two lost and uncovered treasures from two departed melodious souls have finally seen the light of day, via Mosaic Records.

The first one has an deservedly ignored and checkered past. Art Farmer’s 1966 quintet (with Jimmy Heath, Albert Dailey, Walter Booker and Mickey Roker) put together a cooking live date at the Museum of Modern art in New York. Unfortunately, most of the music was scrapped, the surviving 3 tunes were severely edited, and then credited to different musicians on a 1982 double album. How’s that for appreciation?!? The music, finally put together in concert order, and unedited, for the first time, is classic melodic hard bop. Art Farmer’s flugelhorn, while still autumnal in it’s aural attractiveness, has an extra bite of assertiveness on this disc. He really stretches out on pianist Dailey’s energetic “Daily Bread.” Tenorist Jimmy Heath, who is still alive and p laying well, is quite formidable. His arrangement of Grofe’s “On The Trail” is a beaut, and his horn is simply delicious. How can music like this be ignored for so long? Grab it and surprise yourself.

Back in 1957, trumpeter Ruby Braff put together a tribute to trumpet legend Bunny Berigan, who died 14 years previous at the young age of 33, and would be 100 next year. Today, both Braff and Berigan are forgotten masters of trumpet melody. Just wait until you hear Braff’s tone on this disc-it’s stunning. This music was recorded by musicians who really cared about making every solo unique. Pee Wee Russell on clarinet will make your eyes pop out on his solos. It’s like watching the Flying Walendas walk the tightrope. Tenorist. Dick Hafer almost steals the show with his Getz-like horn. Sign this guy up to a record deal, for cryin’ out loud. The songs, all associated with Berigan, are not note-by note copies, but used as a tribute to the stylist. On this disc, substance is just as important as style. Nothing fancy, just great music that will make you wish they were all still here playing.


-George W. Harris