The Leading BIG BAND Magazine |
Just One of Those Things, Sea Breeze Jazz: August 2008
by Great Britain's Peter Green in the latest issue of Big
Bands International:
What can one say about this superb band that hasn't already been said. I
believe this is their sixth CD for Sea Breeze and nothing changes, it's
all there -- biting brass, a bouncing sax section, all beautifully rehearsed
plus some excellent arrangements by Tom Garling, all topped by Rob's thrilling
trumpet and flugelhorn.
Some of the old favorites are still on board with superb solos -- Mark Colby
on tenor, the aforesaid Garling on trombone and Bob Frankich on alto. This
has to be one of the best bands around. "Lickety Split" composed
and arranged by Garling gets things off to a splendid start with a stomping
tenor solo from Mark. Yet another original from Tom is "Heads Up"
with the composer on trombone and Joan Doughty on piano. Another delight
is Clifford Brown's "Joy Spring" with some great lyrical trumpet
playing from Terry Connell.
"You've Changed," arranged by Frank Mantooth, is a feature for
the leader's gorgeous trumpet and flugel, and please give a listen to the
backing by the band. The superb alto of Bob Frankich is only given one outing
on this CD (we need more) along with Tom on trombone on Don Schamber's excellent
arrangement of "It Might as Well Be Spring." It all ends up with
a right rave up on another Tom Garling original, "Knee Deep in Rio,"
recorded by Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau when Tom was a member of
the trombone section. Listen out for the way Rob tops the trumpet section
near the end. How I wish this band could give a few concerts over here.
Peter Green, Big Bands International August 2008