Combo!

Henry Mancini was a significant writer for films who used the flavor of jazz in some of his movie scores. This 1997 CD reissue brings back one of his few jazz-oriented projects, a salute of sorts to the idea of the swing combo. Mancini gathered an impressive cast of top players consisting of trumpeter Pete Candoli, trombonist Dick Nash, Ted Nash on alto and flute, Art Pepper (sticking exclusively to clarinet), baritonist Ronnie Lang, pianist Johnny Williams (doubling on harpsichord), guitarist Bob Bain, bassist Rolly Bundock, drummer Shelly Manne, Ramon Rivera on conga, and Larry Bunker on vibes and marimba. Some of the dozen selections are relatively straight-ahead, while a few (particularly "A Powdered Wig" and "Scandinavian Shuffle") are a bit corny, especially in their use of harpsichord and marimba. There are a few strong moments (particularly from Candoli and Pepper) on such numbers as "Moanin'," "Sidewalks of Cuba," "Castle Rock," and "Everybody Blow," but the end results are not too essential. Overall, this is a compromise between creative jazz and tightly controlled music meant for a larger audience. A historical curiosity.