Because he is so well-known as a film composer and arranger,
Lalo Schifrin's skills as a jazz pianist are sometimes underrated. However, this excellent CD puts the focus on his piano playing, and
Schifrin is heard throughout in particularly creative form. The eight selections originally on his 1982 album Ins and Outs are reissued in full, teaming
Schifrin with flutist
Sam Most (who is heard in his prime), bassist
Andy Simpkins, drummer
Earl Palmer, and percussionist
Paulinho Da Costa. Five of the songs are
Schifrin's (including "Down Here on the Ground" and "The Fox") and there are also versions of "Brazilian Impressions" and two
Dizzy Gillespie numbers ("Manteca" and "Con Alma").
Schifrin and
Most work particularly well together. In addition, two lengthy numbers ("Chano" and "Ritual") from a 2002 appearance at the Blue Note are included, featuring
Schifrin, trumpeter
Jon Faddis,
Dick Oatts on soprano, flute, and tenor, bassist
Ray Drummond, and drummer
Grady Tate.
Schifrin shows that he has lost nothing through the years and is still very adept at playing both bebop and Afro-Cuban jazz. ~ Scott Yanow