Maynard Ferguson's only gold album, Conquistador split its session time between his big band in San Francisco and a contemporary studio ensemble in New York. The 1977 album's memorable themes from Star Trek and Rocky, as well as the enchanting "Mister Mellow," made use of the studio ensemble with superlative results. Bob James and George Benson added a considerably fresh atmosphere to the album and ensured its crossover success. While "Gonna Fly Now" and "Theme From Star Trek" turned out to be the big hits, the rest of the album remains significant for its overall pleasant atmosphere and late 1970s pop/rock sentiment. The leader's trumpet sound was pure and solid during those years, and Columbia's new digital remix does the sessions justice. The title track stands out for its majestic Spanish ancestry and its fresh, contemporary attack. Electric bass, electric guitar and electronic keyboards combined with funk-laden horn arrangements. (Jim Santella)|
Met o.a. gitarist Michael Higgins en saxofonist Denis DiBlasio, die ook de scatvocalen voor z'n rekening neemt in zijn eigen compositie "Snap". Carl Anderson zingt het smooth-souljazznummer "Walkin' On The Pier".
This CD compiled the two records, Maynard '61 (1960), and Si! Si! - M.F. (1962). The bands on those two records were "big bands lite", so to speak, a just-financeable way for Ferguson to work and experiment with big band charts and create an opulent sound. Both records were recorded in New York, and both embodied a young, innovative style at the beginning of the sixties. Those Andalusian scales were an ideal way to try out the new modal language of the time. The arrangements are consistently innovative and courageous, though without pointing in the direction of free jazz. This compilation is a clever way to discover these records, where the original albums are much harder to find. (rateyourmusic.com)
" In May 1967, when Maynard Ferguson was invited to appear at the Expo 67 Canadian Pavilion in Montreal, his Roulette period was behind him but his style and musical tastes had not really changed. Although he did not appear on record at all in 1966 (other than the soundtrack of a television show) and would not have a regular orchestra until 1970, the music on this CD sounds very much as if it were being played by an edition of the Maynard Ferguson Big Band. The obscure sidemen (all local players gathered together for the occasion) boast high musicianship and a few excellent (but unfortunately unidentified) soloists. MF is the main star throughout, showing off his remarkable technique and coming up with consistently exciting and generally creative solos in addition to enthusiastically leading the shouting ensembles." (Scott Yanow)|
"Excellent collection of Maynard Ferguson's more 'pop' oriented classics and soundtrack themes. Although Ferguson's career was much more diverse, the songs in this collection do remind us of his influence beyond radio into both Television and Film while mixing in a few classics to help the novice make the connection..."You mean that song I've loved all these years was actually by Maynard Ferguson?" I am very happy to have purchased a copy of this one before it goes out of print forever." (Amazon)
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