As usual, the
Mingus Big Band
is in exuberant form throughout their performances on this CD, most notably on definitive versions of
"Song with Orange"
and
"Orange Is Color of Her Dress,"
both of which were arranged by the late
John Stubblefield
. A bit different is that two songs apiece are played by
Mingus Dynasty
(a septet taken out of the big band) and the
Mingus Orchestra
. The latter, in addition to six bandmembers, adds French horn, bass clarinet, bassoon, and guitar. But although those two smaller groups have their moments, there is nothing that can match the
at its finest. The key soloists include trumpeters
Jeremy Pelt
,
Randy Brecker
, and
Jack Walrath
, pianist
George Colligan
, trombonists
Conrad Herwig
Ku umba Frank Lacy
(who sings on
"Paris in Blue"
), tenor saxophonists
Seamus Blake
Abraham Burton
, baritonist
Ronnie Cuber
, and altoists
Miguel Zenon
Alex Foster
although anyone in this band can solo with the best, including bassist
Boris Kozlov
. The
has been one of the most exciting of all
big bands
since its formation and
I Am Three
is another dazzling effort. ~ Scott Yanow