Search - The L.A. 4 :: Zaca

What a jazz combo should be

Rebecca M | Somerville, MA USA | 03/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is only one of several collaborations between Laurindo Almeida, Ray Brown, Jeff Hamilton and Bud Shank (better known as the L.A.4) and it stands as one of the most sincere, elegant performances of jazz arrangements and crossover pieces I have ever heard.



The egos are gone, replaced with passionate, intense, but never overstated performances. In Almeida's arrangement of Faure's "Pavane, op. 50," Bud Shank's sensitivity for the classical flute blends sweetly with Almeida's true understanding of the original, then transformed into an enlightening jazz arrangement.



Ray Brown's bass playing is classic and Jeff Hamilton's performance is solid. Hearing this album, in contrast to much of the jazz & pizazz marketed today, transmits a "they don't make 'em like they used to" sense which is welcomed by the nostalgic listener."