Arthur Lyman's unique blend of tiki and jungle-inspired instrumental exotica takes a rural detour on
Cotton Fields (1963). One might not visually connect the incongruous cover art imagery -- of a fiery geyser -- with the early-'60s resurgence of folk music. But with it came yet another hue for the artist's already opulent sonic pallet.
Lyman (vibraphone) is joined by
Alan Soares (piano),
John Kramer (bass/guitar/flute), and
Harold Chang (percussion). Collectively they infuse the dozen familiar melodies on
Cotton Fields with a palpable Polynesian influence. As was customary, the contents of
Lyman's long-player were derived from a wide variety of sources. The jazzy "Jungle Drums" opens the effort in familiar territory for the participants as
Lyman's wistful and somnolent marimba gives way to an ornate duet between
Chang's tribal percussion and
Kramer's invocative woodwinds. The update of "Greensleeves" remains rooted in a suitably majestic madrigal context with the intimacy of
Kramer's acoustic guitar and
Soares' light piano phrasings providing the folksy ambience. Turning to the silver screen,
Lyman and company update the bluesy "Walk on the Wild Side," giving it a lighter, temperate feel -- especially when compared to
Jimmy Smith's hit version. While not as prevalent as on other
Lyman platters, the Great White Way figures into the proceedings as the upscale "Little Girl Blue" hails from the
Richard Rogers/
Lorenz Hart musical Jumbo (1935). To the same end, the LP's concluding number, "I Ain't Down Yet," is a spunky reworking thanks to
Chang's top-shelf time-keeping.
Lyman's refined vibes lead the ensemble through an airy and unmistakably bop-informed rendition. The burgeoning bossa nova craze likewise informs a fair share of
Cotton Fields with the catchy Caribbean "Limbo Rock," as well as the equally uptempo groove percolating through the freewheeling "Hawaiian War Chant" and the rapid-fire update of "Brazil." Proving their considerable talents as romantic balladeers,
Lyman and company decelerate the pace for the moody, sublime, and intimate "This Is My Beloved." Similarly, "Singing Bamboo" places the listener in a relaxed tropical setting. Although touted as stemming from the folk tradition, the title track "Cotton Fields" is given a rousing R&B makeover that seems to have been steeped in gospel instead of its typical Appalachian lineage. Rather than ramping things up for a big finale,
Lyman settles into the haunting "Scarlet Ribbons."
Kramer's evocative flute underscores the tender melody, placing it arguably as the album's most folksy entry. In 2008, Collectors Choice Music paired
Cotton Fields with
Blowin' in the Wind (1963) for a two-fer containing both -- making them available for the first time in decades.