While it is nearly impossible for jazz musicians to tour much at all as a big band, from time to time, units are assembled for memorable studio sessions such as the ones heard on Gary Urwin's
Kindred Spirits. Most of the leader's charts were written to showcase veterans
Bill Watrous (trombone) and Pete Christlieb (tenor sax, though he plays clarinet and flute as well in the ensemble passage), while he gathered some of the best players around Southern California as well.
Jerry Goldsmith's rarely heard "Theme from 'Chinatown'" benefits from Urwin's superb scoring and
Watrous' warm soloing. Urwin adds a nice touch to "Girl Talk," a swinging favorite from
Count Basie's songbook, while the snappy treatment of "Beautiful Love" is another gem. The addition of harp and a trombone choir behind
Watrous gives a new dimension to the old chestnut "Danny Boy." The touching finale is a subtle trio chart with pianist
Christian Jacob setting up Christlieb and
Watrous with a lush opening chorus and superb accompaniment. ~ Ken Dryden