Early in his career, he also played tenor saxophone and clarinet (including bass clarinet), but Mann was among the first jazz musicians to specialize on the flute.
His most popular single was "Hijack", which was a Billboard No. 1 dance hit for three weeks in 1975.
The unfortunate title of this album fed into the perception that jazz great Herbie Mann would jump onto any musical trend for a buck. The hit single "Hi-Jack" actually was pretty good as dance-oriented instrumental pop, but jazz it was not. However, Mann's rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Bird of Beauty" is very pleasant, and the Mann original "High Above the Andes" has a nice Latin feel to it.
On too many cuts, though, the dated synthesizers and female backing vocals make the mix sound like little more than background music for a shopping mall.
This is one hell of a good disco jazz set. Great players getting into a high-energy 70's groove. Layers of sound, with Mann's flute soaring above wailing guitar and deep percussion layers.
Okay, some of the girlie vocals a bit annoying on 'Lady Marmalade' but when the guitar solo bites, you get taken to the next level.
At this stage in his career Mann was all about style, hitting a spot where jazz improvisation took second place to mood and feeling. It gets people moving on the dance floor, and feet tapping under the dinner table. Getting into the detail, Bob Mann's solo on 'Mediterranean' is worth the price of the album, especially as Pat Rebillot joins in the fun with a funky synth solo.
Then Herbie shows them what class is. Stand out is 'High Above the Andes', a six and half minute classic that is strangely underrated in the canon of jazz fusion gems. Herbie swings effortlessly and the keyboard and guitar solos aren't far behind.
The leader also gets deep into Stevie Wonder's 'Bird of Beauty', cranking up the energy levels before ending the set with a sweet version of the Bob Marley song 'Guava Jelly'that bassist Tony Levin shines on.
Side one
1. Hi-Jack - 5:16
2. Pick Up The Pieces - 5:16
3. Lady Marmalade - 4:15
4. Mediterranean - 6:23
Side two
1. I Can’t Turn You Loose - 3:20
2. I Won’t Last A Day Without You - 2:50
3. High Above The Andes - 6:30
4. Bird Of Beauty - 4:30
5. Guava Jelly - 3:20
Personnel
- Herbie Mann - flute
- Sam Burtis, Barry Rogers - trombone
- Pat Rebillot - keyboards, arranger, conductor
- Jerry Friedman, Bob Mann, Hugh McCracken - guitar
- Tony Levin - bass
- Steve Gadd - drums
- Ray Barretto, Armen Halburian, Ralph MacDonald, Ray Mantilla - percussion
- Cissy Houston, Eunice Peterson, Sylvia Shemwell - backing vocals
Notes
Release: 1975
Format: LP
Genre: Crossover Jazz, Soul Jazz
Label: Atlantic Records
Catalog# ATL 50128
Vinyl: VG
Cover: VG
Prijs: €10,00
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