For this interesting if out of print LP, film producer
Michel Legrand leads an impressive big band through a 23-minute exploration of his "Southern Routes" (a jazz suite based on the soundtrack of the film Les Routes de la Sud) and then plays piano with a septet on four of his briefer compositions. The latter band has solo work from trumpeter
Jon Faddis, altoist
Phil Woods and baritonist
Gerry Mulligan, all of whom are also featured on the longer piece. Although none of the selections caught on, the colorful arrangements and the excellent solos make this a worthwhile (if difficult to find) acquisition,
Michel Legrand's first jazz recording in a decade. [DCC reissued the album in 1978.]