Michel Legrand, best known as a film composer, has only made occasional jazz records through the years, but most have been quite worthwhile. This reissue CD brings back a real rarity, a trio session with bassist
Ray Brown and drummer
Shelly Manne that is arguably
Legrand's only jazz date from the 1963-1977 period. It is a particularly interesting set, for
Legrand takes a rare (if odd) vocal on "My Funny Valentine"; "Los Gatos" is a free improvisation (one of four songs spontaneously composed by the musicians on stage), and the pianist shows that he can swing on "Ray's Riff" and "Another Blues." This underrated set is worth investigating. ~ Scott Yanow