Though purists will find
Gerry Mulligan's This Is Jaz1, Vol. 18 frustratingly incomplete, it isn't designed for them. The entire
This is Jazz series is targeted at casual fans and neophytes, who only want a sampling of a famous jazz artist. In that sense, this disc does its job quite well, featuring colaborations with
Chet Baker,
Dave Brubeck,
John Scofield and
Ron Carter, among others. Of course, this only is the tip of the iceberg as far as
Mulligan's work goes -- after all, it only features his music for Columbia -- but it's enough to spark the interest of anyone wanting to explore his vast catalog. ~ Thom Owens