Art Farmer {USA, jazz, Bop}

After the Jazztet that he co-led with tenor-saxophonist Benny Golson broke up, flugelhornist Art Farmer led a pianoless quartet during 1963-64 with guitarist Jim Hall. For this reissue in the Atlantic Jazzlore series, Farmer and Hall are joined by bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Walter Perkins. Their repertoire is a bit surprising since four of the five songs were veteran swing standards; all but Miles Davis's obscure "Swing Spring." Hall (who has "I'm Gettin' Sentimental over You" as his feature) was a perfect musical partner for Farmer since both musicians have mellow sounds and thoughtful improvising styles that are more complex than expected. This 1987 reissue is well worth picking up. The group only lasted long enough to make three records, all of which are out-of-print.

The defunct pirate label Moon is up to its usual antics on this release with its stereotyped 1940s glamour shot of an actress on the front cover (Lucille Ball), incorrect song titles and composer listings, and the typically great performances but mediocre reproductions of taped radio broadcasts. The first three tracks are from a concert in Rome by the Gerry Mulligan Quartet with both musicians in fine form, as expected, and Farmer on trumpet. Bassist Bill Crow is inexplicably credited with writing Farmer's "News From Blueport," and Mulligan's "Spring Is Sprung" is incomplete. The remaining five songs come from a broadcast by Farmer's quartet after he'd made the switch to flugelhorn, which includes guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Steve Swallow (prior to his change to electric bass), and drummer Pete "La Roca" Sims. Sergio Mihanovich's lovely ballad "Some Time Ago" opens this second set with especially lyrical performances by both Farmer and Hall. Sonny Rollins' "Valse Hot" suffers greatly from muddy sound. Art Farmer can be heard on many better-sounding releases than this one, so it will likely appeal only to absolute fanatics who must own every one of his recordings, legitimate or not