Gary Burton Quintet
Whiz Kids
ECM Records/Polydor (Japan) 1987
28MJ 3561 (LP) w/obi, insert.
sleeve : EX+(slightly wear on corner.)
media : EX+/EX+(some slightly noises.)
This is a leader album released by American vibraphonist Gary Burton on ECM in 1987, who has been active since the early 1960s and has left many outstanding works on ECM. It features a quartet with Masabumi Kikuchi (piano), Tommy Smith (sax), Steve Swallow (b), and Martin Richards (dr). The young Kikuchi was chosen following his collaboration on Burton's 1985 album "Real Life Hits." While primarily delving into the smooth jazz genre with light swing, Kikuchi's elegant piano and the urban mellow soprano saxophone of the also young prodigy Smith add an adult-like floating sensation to tracks like A1, while the warm vibraphone emitting pleasant harmonics creates a cozy atmosphere on tracks like the dreamy B2. These beautiful compositions evoke a sparkling urban night view akin to artwork. The Japanese edition produced by Polydor during this period has excellent sound quality.
A1: The Last Clown
B2: Cool Train