This continually interesting set finds
Jimmy Giuffre sticking exclusively to his cool-toned clarinet, mostly playing in the lower register, in several settings. The thought-provoking and generally relaxed works feature a wide variety of instrumentation.
Giuffre takes "So Low" as an unaccompanied solo, duets with
Jimmy Rowles' celeste on "Deep Purple," plays a fairly free "Fascinatin' Rhythm" in a
Benny Goodman-type trio with pianist
Rowles and drummer
Shelly Manne, performs with a couple of other trios (including a group consisting of his clarinet, an alto clarinetist, and a bass clarinetist), uses three flutes and drums on the atonal "The Side Pipers" and three woodwinds plus bassist
Ralph Pena on an atmospheric "My Funny Valentine," concluding with a nonet blues. A very interesting album, last available as a 1984 Atlantic LP. ~ Scott Yanow