African Suite + Flute, Brass, Vibes And Percussion (2 LPs On 1 CD)

Herbie Mann was one of the most forthright, rhythmically acute and culturally receptive of jazz flute players, virtues amply demonstrated on the two albums, African Suite and Flute, Brass, Vibes & Percussion, collected here. They were made when, inspired by a stint with Machito s Afro-Cuban orchestra in 1958, he decided to form his own small-combo using some of the same basic rhythmic concepts and opened with the new group in June 1959 at New York s Basin Street East club. The move established Mann as the leading exponent of jazz played with African percussion instruments added to the rhythm section, a position underlined by his passionate playing and consistent musical perception on these two albums. Although vibraphonist Johnny Rae is exhilarating throughout both, at the music s core remains the wonderfully exciting rhythmic interplay between the congas, bongos and drums. With this combination of ingredients Mann created a signature style for himself for a time, one which appealed not only to jazz audiences, but whose accessibility also appealed to audiences not normally receptive to jazz.