Artist: Bob Mintzer Big Band
Album: Homage to Count Basie
Genre: Jazz
Release Date: 2000/2020
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24bit, 88,2 kHz
Duration: 01:00:44
Total Tracks: 8
Total Size: 1,11 GB

Tracklist:

1. Bob Mintzer Big Band – Havin’ Some Fun (07:51)
2. Bob Mintzer Big Band – April in Paris (06:04)
3. Bob Mintzer Big Band – One O’clock Jump (11:10)
4. Bob Mintzer Big Band – Lester Jumps Out (09:16)
5. Bob Mintzer Big Band – Cute (05:54)
6. Bob Mintzer Big Band – Shinny Stockings (07:40)
7. Bob Mintzer Big Band – Home Basie (04:06)
8. Bob Mintzer Big Band – Lil’ Darling (08:41)

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This is the best kind of homage. When Bob Mintzer looks back at Basie, it’s with respect, not with intent to imitate. Mintzer has his own agenda: Basie-inspired arrangements, but with writing that is fresh, lively, occasionally tongue-in-cheek, always swinging.The 17-piece band of New Yorkers responds to the charts with a healthy appreciation for Basie-type dynamics, and Mintzer rewards them with ample stretch-out solo space. “One O’Clock Jump” builds great concerted momentum, yet ends teasingly, with a fragmented, near-Dixieland postscript. “Cute” has a Bill Holman-type flavor in its voicings. On “Li’l Darlin’,” the guys seem to be walking on eggshells: It is beautifully restrained, lagging behind the beat just right; unfortunately, the trademark guitar arpeggio is virtually obscured.

Mintzer the soloist reveals a gutsy, driving tenor sound on his cleverly titled original “Lester Jumps Out.” Mintzer the writer likes to anchor the band’s sound with a solid foundation from baritonist Roger Rosenberg and bass trombonist Dave Taylor. “Home Basie,” another Mintzer original, is a monster chart, but its R&B pulse must have made Basie change key in his grave.