[MRL 392] Blue Mitchell - The Last Tango=Blues

MRL 392
1973


Personnel:

Trumpet - Blue Mitchell
Bass - Chuck Rainey, Darrell Clayborn
Drums - Ray Pounds
Guitar - David T. Walker
Organ - Charles Kynard
Percussion - Chino Valdes, King Errisson, Paul Humphrey
Saxophone [Alto], Clarinet - David Angel
Saxophone [Baritone], Clarinet [Bass] - Steve Kravitz
Saxophone [Tenor] - Herman Riley
Saxophone [Tenor], Flute - Jackie Kelso



Tracks:

A1 Soul Turn Around (4:20)
A2 Killing Me Softly With His Song (2:53)
A3 The Message (3:20)
A4 Steal The Feel (4:15)

B1 Last Tango In Paris (2:42)
B2 One For Russ (4:15)
B3 Peace (2:50)
B4 P.T. Blues (3:04)

Arranged by - Richard Fritz
Producer - Bob Shad
Engineer - John Stronach
Photography - Buddy Childers


AMG Review
by Jason Ankeny

The Last Tango = Blues translates the direct, soulful hard bop approach of Blue Mitchell's cult-classic Blue Note sessions into the funk-inspired grammar of mid-Seventies mainstream jazz. Teamed with guitarist David T. Walker, bassist Chuck Rainey, organist Charles Kynard and drummer Paul Humphrey, Mitchell concentrates on straightforward but imaginative readings of contemporary pop hits like "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and Cymande's "The Message"--Richard Fritz's vibrant arrangements further underscore the album's connection to radio and even blaxploitation soundtracks, but the performances are strictly next-level, complete with some of Mitchell's most fiery trumpet.

Dusty Groove review:

No tango here -- just a great batch of hard, funky, trumpet-heavy groovers -- all in the best early 70s Blue Mitchell mode! The album's easily one of Blue's best from the time -- and although the tracks are a bit short, they're put together in a way that dovetails nicely with his earlier grooves on Blue Note at the end of the 60s -- arranged by Richard Fritz with some fuller reeds behind the trumpet, in a mode that's partly between funky soundtracks and Kudu Records styles of the period. Players include David T Walker on guitar, Chuck Rainey on bass, Charles Kynard on organ, and Paul Humphrey on percussion -- and titles include a great version of Walter Bishop Jr.'s "Soul Turn Around", a funky cover of Cymande's "The Message" -- plus "One For Russ", "Peace", "PT Blues", "Killing Me Softly", and "Steal The Feel".