This Lone Hill compilation collects all of the quintet studio recordings made together by
Art Farmer and
Hal McKusick, covering four different groups, each with a unique rhythm section.
Farmer was still playing trumpet, prior to his switch to flugelhorn, while the alto saxophonist also doubles on clarinet and bass clarinet. The bulk of the album features the two men with pianist
Eddie Costa, bassist
Milt Hinton, and drummer
Gus Johnson, with
Al Cohn and
Manny Albam contributing most of the arrangements. It is immediately apparent that the co-leaders have a natural ability to complement one another with perfect backing for the other's solos, highlighted by the magical take of "Alone Together." The next session features two originals written and arranged by
Jimmy Giuffre, with guitarist
Barry Galbraith, bassist
Teddy Kotick, and drummer
Osie Johnson providing rhythm. Both of these cool-toned pieces have a touch of mystery and are beautifully interpreted.
Giuffre is also the arranger for three pieces featuring
Bill Evans,
Paul Chambers, and
Connie Kay with the leaders, with
McKusick's bass clarinet taking solo honors in "It Never Entered My Mind." The last three tracks also include
Evans, expanding the group to a sextet with
Galbraith,
Hinton, and
Charlie Persip joining
Farmer and
McKusick.
George Russell is the arranger, with a swaggering yet cool take of
Russell's "Stratusphunk" standing out. Recommended.