Description:
An excellent big band album from Frank Mantooth that gets off to a stirring start with a Diane Schuur/Kevin Mahogany duet. There's more scatting than words on this cut, which Mahogany is clearly much more comfortable with than Schuur. Mantooth uses three sets of musicians in differing combinations, but they all work well together. To say that Mantooth is influenced by Stan Kenton is an understatement Mantooth's timing, tempos, dynamics, disciplined ensemble work, and arrangements which sometimes slip into a quasi symphonic mode vividly recall Kenton at his very best. Also, like Kenton, the band features outstanding solo work. |