ART FARMER - A Sleeping Bee (1976-2004) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Sonet LP finds Art Farmer with an atypical supporting group that includes fellow veteran Red Mitchell on bass, Latin percussionist Sabú Martínez, and several Europeans, among them guitarist Jan Schaffer and pianist Goran Strandberg. The opener, an easygoing take of "It Might As Well Be Spring," finds Farmer finally opening up in the closing chorus. Farmer's rich-toned flugelhorn interacts beautifully with Mitchell's imaginative bassline in the swinging take of "Come Rain or Come Shine," while the brisk bossa nova "Green Witch" is one of the more challenging charts on the date, with Farmer switching to trumpet. "A Sleeping Bee" is often played at fast tempos, but the hip-swaying, relaxed arrangement better showcases lyrical solos by the leader and Mitchell. This excellent record is long overdue to be reissued on CD. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    It Might As Well Be Spring 8'38
Written-By – Richard Rodgers - Oscar Hammerstein II
2    Come Rain Or Come Shine 5'56
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
3    Green Witch 5'58
Written-By – Horst Muhlbrandt
4    A Sleeping Bee 8'35
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Truman Capote
5    A Bitty Ditty    4:35
Written-By – Art Farmer
6    Smilin' Billy 10'01
Written-By – Jimmy Heath
- Bonus Tracks -    
7    Art For Lunch    4:30
Written-By – Art Farmer
8    It Might As Well Be Spring (Alternate Take) 8'52
Written-By – Richard Rodgers - Oscar Hammerstein II
9    Smilin' Billy (Alternate Take) 10'00
Written-By – Jimmy Heath
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Island Östlund, Tony Inzalaco
Guitar – Jan Schaffer
Percussion – Sabu Martinez
Piano – Göran Strandberg
Producer [Original Recordings], Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Art Farmer