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LALO SCHIFRIN - The Bossa Nova and Latin Albums

Malanga Music- MM828


Personnel- too numerous to list but quality hands all round.
Recorded 1955, 1959, 1962


This set presents five complete albums from the initial years of Lalo Schifrin's career as a leader: Lalo= Brilliance: The Pianos of Lalo Schifrin: Bossa Nova: New Brasilian Jazz: Insensitive: Piano Espanol: The Magic Touch of Lalo Schifrin, His Piano and Orchestra and Rendevoux. 

Born in Argentia, Schifrin was gaining fame as a member and arranger of Dizzy Gillespie's Quintet and Big Band during these formative years. He is backed here by such important guitarists as Jim Hall and Jimmy Raney, plus the brilliant saxophonist, Leo Wright from Gillespie's formation. 

Three of the five CDs are from 1962 and the other two from 1955 and 1959. Each CD contains around twenty five tracks of no more than 3-4 minutes in length presumably opting for the quanity vs quality serving up of the goods. Almost like a light music bordering on  Muzak-ey presentation of high quality material. Very much the order of the day when LPs were recorded at such high frequency (amount wise) well before the multitude of formats in which to access the music that we have today. 

Despite this,  the playing, arrangements and production are all first rate throughout not to mention the bargain for the buyer. 160 minutes of sounds for a few quid. Highly recommended listening. 

Reviewed by Frank Griffith

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ECM celebrates 50 years of music production with the Touchstones series of re-issues