LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Bill Perkins was considered by many musicians to be the Lester Young-inspired tenor closest in feeling to the great Pres. This puts Perkins in an especially good position to interpret the music of Johnny Mandel, a composer who favors both lyrical ballads and Basie-style swingers. With Perkins employing four instruments, Victor Feldman three, and John Pisano two, the quintet finds a range of memorable sonorities. Mandel tributes have become more common in recent years (Zoot Sims cut one for Pablo 18 years after this date with the same title), but none has exceeded this eloquent early tribute.
Track listing: Quietly There, Emily, Groover Wailin', A Time for Love, Sure as You're Born, Just a Child, Keester Parade, The Shining Sea, Something Different, plus CD bonus track The Shadow of Your Smile