Herbie Mann

• 4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

In 1959, flutist Herbie Mann put together a very interesting band that was in its brief existence (before Mann's interests shifted elsewhere) one of the top in Afro-Cuban jazz. Utilizing four trumpets (including Doc Cheatham), up to three percussionists and a flute-vibes-bass-drums quartet, Mann performs four standards (including "Dearly Beloved," "I'll Remember April" and "Autumn Leaves") and two originals in a style that was beyond bop and much more African- and Cuban-oriented.

PERSONNEL:

• Herbie Mann (flute)
• Adolphus "Doc" Cheatham, Jerome Kail, Leo Ball, Siggy Schatz (trumpet)
• Nabil "Knobby" Totah (bass)
• Johnny Rae (vibes)
• Rudy Collins (drums)
• Ray Barretto (bongos)
• Ray Mantilla (congas)

Recorded in New York, 1959

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Dearly Beloved
• A2. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
• A3. I'll Remember April

• SIDE B
• B1. A Ritual
• B2. Fife 'N Tambourine Corps
• B3. Autumn Leaves