Art Farmer added a bit of a different twist for these 1981 studio sessions, including baritone saxophonist
Sahib Shihab with him in the front line, along with fellow expatriate Americans
Kenny Drew (piano) and
Ed Thigpen (drums), plus bassist
Mads Vinding.
Drew contributed the first two songs, including the boisterous mid-tempo opener "Context" and the brisk blues "Blue Wail," both top-notch features for
Farmer and
Shihab. The intricate take of
Charlie Parker's "Passport" and
Bennie Wallace's inventive "Back Door Beauty" find
Shihab switching to soprano sax. The only standard is a lush take of "Manhattan," showcasing the leader's lyrical flugelhorn. This release is a little short by CD standards, clocking under 40 minutes, but it will be of great interest to fans of
Art Farmer. ~ Ken Dryden