On this third-stream effort, pianist/composer
Lalo Schifrin, bassist
Ray Brown and drummer
Grady Tate swing while joined by
the London Philharmonic. Most intriguing among
Schifrin's arrangements are "Echoes of Duke Ellington" and "Dizzy Gillespie Fireworks," which are really medleys of Duke's and
Dizzy's songs. Not all of the shorter pieces (particularly "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "As Time Goes By") are too essential, and, on the whole,
Schifrin's follow-up project (More Jazz Meets the Symphony) would result in a stronger record. However, this generally interesting set is still worth exploring; it was good to hear
Lalo Schifrin in a jazz setting again. ~ Scott Yanow