1 – Pleasant enough but faded into the background for me on the soprano solo. The recitation seems to have great meaning to the speaker, though I’m not sure what he was referring to.
2 – Stylistically, this is certainly in my wheelhouse, all Coltrane/Sanders-ish. The alto/soprano combo makes me think of the Grubbs Brothers (The Visitors), but I don’t think it’s them. I think I’m familiar with the song (though not the version), just have to remember what it is. Very strong cut overall, I hope I have it on the shelves somewhere! This one will bear repeated listening from me.
3 - Nice lighter follow up to the previous cut. The guitar solo to me is just functional, though I like his tone and his comping. The saxophone solo is excellent, a modern player who nonetheless listened to Ben Webster in his formation. Maybe Joe Lovano?
4 – Very dramatic! I like it fine, though it’s not my “thing”.
5 – “Straight No Chaser”, not familiar with this version. First thought was Herbie Mann, but I don’t think it’s him. Another pleasant cut, though the bass soloing goes on much too long.
6 – I want to like it. I prefer the flute on this to the one on the previous cuts. Cut is leaning too much on sort of clunky Afro-Cuban rhythms, though not without its appeals. Enjoying the organ and especially the vibes when they show up. An unlikely spot for the “A Love Supreme” riff to show up mid-song. But then it just sort of ends without resolution or fade, so in the end it’s not a winner for me.
7 – Really good for what it is, but not my sort of thing at all.
8 – More to my liking. Up the alley of those Grant Green 70’s BN albums where he played the best hits of the day with excellent small group backing. Not much improvisation on those, but great sounding music. I listen to them frequently as background music, and could see myself listening to this also. Really enjoying this, wouldn’t mind having it on my shelves, along with cut #2.
9 – No thanks. Sounds like mash-up of several songs, eventually landing on “Truckin’”, but by way of “Green Onions” and “Peter Gunn”. I like all of those songs, but not this.
10 – Not for me. Can’t relate at all to this cut except for the trumpet solo.
Thanks for the interesting BFT, and I especially await the reveal or ID of cuts 2 and 8.