ART FARMER QUINTET - Manhattan (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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
Tracklist :
1     Context 6'53
Kenny Drew
2     Blue Wail 5'06
Kenny Drew
3     Manhattan 6'50
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4     Passport 6'48
Charlie Parker
5     Arrival 6'51
Horace Parlan
6     Back Door Beauty 6'17
Bennie Wallace
Credits :
Bass – Mads Vinding
Drums – Ed Thigpen
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Piano – Kenny Drew
Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Sahib Shihab