Tarantella

Very smart clean double album, includes inner sleeves.

This two-LP set is an unusual Chuck Mangione record. Taken from a marathon live concert, the flügelhornist is featured with a big band. The first album has fairly typical performances (including versions of "Legend of the One-Eyed Sailor" and "Hill Where the Lord Hides"), but it is the second half that is most notable. Mangione performs such boppish numbers as "Things to Come," "'Round Midnight," and "Manteca" with guest Dizzy Gillespie; duets with Chick Corea on "My One and Only Love"; and stretches out on "All Blues." He also welcomes such old associates as his brother, keyboardist Gap Mangione, plus tenorman Sal Nistico and altoist Joe Romano, so this is certainly not a typical Chuck Mangione A&M pop record. Not yet reissued, this surprising set is recommended.