[bart]

Erroll Garner - Up In Erroll's Room
Featuring the Brass Bed
Qobuz 24/96




Apart from the sheep sounds - coming from Garner I guess because they're also on his other records but here it is a whole herd! - an agreeable and 'optimistic' album, in the sense it is light, merry and upbeat.

The Erroll Garner Octave Remastered series from Mack Avenue continues its insanely dedicated remastering project with Up in Erroll’s Room, created from intense sessions in November 1967 and that were published the following year. This eighth volume is particular as you can hear Garner’s entourage – Ike Isaacs on double bass, Jimmie Smith on drums and José Mangual on the congas – with a brass section conducted by Don Sebesky, using arrangements improvised by the master. Richard Spencer is also present conducting The Brass Bed, a great group of brass instrumentalists that includes saxophonist Pepper Adams, trumpeter Bernie Glow and tuba player Don Butterfield. These collaborations amplify the musicality of the themes that are played, resounding like dynamic punctuation that is often welcome. As always, Erroll Garner reappropriates classics like Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s The Girl from Ipanema and Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm, imprinting his own playing techniques and unbeatable swing upon some of the most recognisable jazz pieces in the world. © Marc Zisman/Qobuz