Steppin' Out

Herb Alpert shows that you're never too old to stay fresh and contemporary in today's music world. Unlike the past two albums where he collaborated with wife Lani Hall performing standards and Brazilian tunes, Herb gets more into a contemporary jazz mode - not smooth jazz, mind you. This is a lot more kicked up than smooth jazz. As for the tunes themselves:1. Puttin' On The Ritz - Love the rhythm track on this. The song itself is a perfect fit for Herb's horn. There's some cool things that Michael Shapiro does on drums if you listen closely, such as these little triplet figures on a couple of breaks. Herb plays some nice solos as well.2. Jacky's Place - Had I not read that Jeff Lorber was on this album I would've guessed him anyway. He has a distinctive way of playing a Fender Rhodes piano. Love the little scat vocals by Lani and Herb on the melody. Beautiful interplay between Herb and Lorber, conjuring up images of Second Wind. Strong track.3. Our Song - My favorite ballad of the album. I always loved Art Pepper's original to begin with and this seems like a natural fit for Herb. The strings are just right on this recording as well. Simply gorgeous.4. Green Lemonade - The first thing that struck me about this song was the opening vamp, which is similar to Pat Metheny's "Are You Going With Me?" Some very strong playing by Herb here. A clear favorite of mine.5. I Only Have Eyes For You - Starts out rubato, then subtly breaks into a bit of a Brazilian mode, a la "Brasil Nativo" from a few years back. Lani chimes in with some sparse vocals.6. Good Morning Mr. Sunshine - I've never been a huge fan of the "Brass Are Comin'" album, but this song was one of my favorites. So I was a bit skeptical seeing this song on this album, but I must say I like this version better. The interplay between Herb and Bill Cantos is wonderful. I really dig the way the rhythm section flows on this track. Herb really soars on this song as well. I think this would make a great song for some jazz stations. One of my favorites on this album.7. Oblivion - Herb's second Astor Piazzolla song ("Libertango" from "Colors" was the first) is a dramatic reading. Bill Cantos did the orchestration for this. This would've fit on the "Spanish Moon" album had Herb decided on putting it on there.8. What'll I Do? - The Irving Berlin standard gets an updated version with Lani making a brief appearance. Nice solo by Herb as well. Sounds as if Hussain Jiffry is playing an upright bass. Nice romantic ballad.9. Côte D'Azur - Another one of my favorite tracks. This has a bit of a TJB horn line for the melody with Herb playing some beautiful jazz lines throughout the tune. He even pulls out the Harmon mute for a bit.10. La Vie En Rose - I don't know much about Edith Piaf but I knew this song as soon as I heard it. This sounds as if it could've been played at some bawdy club in New Orleans. It probably would fit in with Madeline Khan singing in "Blazing Saddles".11. It's All In The Game - You know, when I first heard this song I thought it had a bit of a Bacharach feel to it. Lani gets featured on this track. Herb sings with Lani and provides a few licks on the horn as well.12. Europa - When I saw this song was on the album my first expectation was that it would be something similar to what Gato Barbieri did (which Herb produced back in 1976). But it's nothing like that at all. This almost has a bit of a Parisian feel to it. The strings are a bit "outside", conjuring up images of the "Midnight Sun" album.13. And The Angels Sing - This was one of my favorite songs on the "Going Places" album, so again I was a bit apprehensive about hearing this. Brother, did I change my mind on that! It starts with a bit of a Freddie Green guitar-ish vamp to start (I'm not sure this is a guitar - it could be Hussain Jiffry on bass). This is the one song that really swings!!! Herb does some his finest playing on this track. I play this one quite a bit. Probably my favorite track on the album.14. Skylark - An old standard that's given a lush treatment. Again, Bill Cantos does the orchestration with some help from his beloved wife Mari Falcone. Herb does a pretty straight reading on this classic tune.15. Migration - A fun, uptempo jam. Herb does some off-mic scatting, reminding me of what he did on "Promises, Promises" back in '74. Lani provides some brief vocals. Some solid horn work by Herb as well. Another fave of mine.16. The Lonely Bull - This is from the video that we saw on Herb's website from a few months back. Again, this reminds me of what he was doing on the "Spanish Moon" album. Eddie del Barrio does the string thing here. This is more of a somber version of the song and gets a bit outside, which I really love. Is this his swan song? Well, I don't know about that. I certainly hope not. Sounds as if he still has plenty to say, judging by what he put out.As for the favorite tracks, I voted for "Puttin' On The Ritz", "Jacky's Place", "Our Song", "Green Lemonade", "Good Morning Mr. Sunshine", "Côte D'Azur", "And The Angels Sing" and "Migration".All in all, a pretty hip album. Not bad for a 78 year old youngster slingin' a trumpet!

THI IS THE COMEBACK OF THE LEGENDARY HERB ALPERT. THIS CD IS A REAL MAJESTIC RECORDING AND A GREAT CHOICE OF TRACKS. HERB PICK UP VERY CAREFULY EVERY SINGLE DETAIL ON EVERY TRACK. THE RE-MAKES OF "GOODMORNING MR. SUNSHINE" , "AND THE ANGELS SING " & "THE LONELY BULL" YUST MAKE THEM SOUND BETTER THAN EVER WITH A NEW DIMENSION ON EACH CLASSIC . OTHER TERRIFIC TRACKS ARE , "COTE DA AZUR" ," JACKY'S PLACE"" EUROPA" ( FOR GATO & SANTANA) , " GREEN LAMONADE" AND "LA VIE EN ROSE" ( AS A TRIBUTE TO EDITH PIAF AND THE GREAT SATCHMO). ANOTHER MASTERPIECE FROM THIS LIVING LEGEND , THAT STILL SHOWING US WHAT TO DO TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST OF THE MUSIC BUSSINES . DON'T MISS THIS ONE , IS A MUST HAVE FOR ALL THE LOYAL FANS OF HERB & THE TJB .A NOSTALGIC BLAST FROM THE PAST.

I got my first job in 1966 cleaning and painting walls for Deco Co. in Sycamore Illinois so I could buy TJB LPs (also Baja Marimba Band LPs and albums by other Jazz, Classical and World musicians) so impressed was I with these new twists on the term JAZZ. I have in my collection now all the remastered CDs available, of TJB, Herb Alpert solo and Baja M Band. As a matter of fact, I still own the same pristine copies of "The Lonely Bull" mono LP (better than the overdubbed stereo version) and Baja Marimba Band's first LP (stereo) that I purchased back in the mid 60s. I thoroughly enjoy instrumental music of almost any kind. Vocal music? Only few exceptions. All three of the latest albums put out by Herb Alpert (and some of his earlier discs) have several vocal tracks which I find very annoying (Sorry, Herb!) The instrumental tracks are wonderful, however and I will remain a dedicated fan to the end.By the way, I am very curious as to why Herb hasn't remastered, re-released such fantastic albums as "TJB Vol 2" (I was lucky enough to have found a new CD of Vol 2 in the short time it was available, years ago)... "Coney Island"..."Bullish"...etc... (I just spent over $40 for a used CD of Bullish)...Come on, Herb! Don't the opinions of your biggest fans effect your decision making at all? If you would make these past treasures available (complete, not just selections) I'm sure there are fans all over the world who would scarf them up without hesitation!

I'm one of those dinosaurs with a five CD changer. This CD has not left the changer since it arrived. I'm a fan of Jeff Lorber all the way back to the original Fusion. When I heard he was part of this project, I knew I had to pick it up."Puttin' On The Ritz", "Cote D"Azur", and the remake of "The Lonely Bull" are the highlights here. Strongly recommend.

This disk shows Herb Alpert and Lani's diverse musical skills well. It is a solid Jazz album. If you are a jazz devotee you will enjoy it. If you want the music of the Tijuana Brass or the 1980s Herb Alpert this one is not for you.

I grew up listening to Herb Alpert as a baby, and my mom always told meI'd request the one with the whip cream girl! So when heard an interview on NPR about his new release, I was very interested. I was not disappointed. I got this for my Dad for Christmas, but promptly got a copy for myself.

Yes, I am thoroughly enjoying this CD. I have been a fan of Herb Alpert's since my twenties. When I heard him on PBR, I knew I had to have this CD and am so happy I ordered it..

I listen to the music I grew up with. Including HA&TB. I wanted to hear Mr. Albert play something I've not heard. New tunes. But I guess I want the heat and magic from the Tijuana Brass era. Orchestral accompaniment, electric sounds, and a slow jazz pace does not suit his sound. The Spanish beat and bounce from the 60's was special.Lost Treasures is probably a better bet for the old sound and new tunes.