JOv2
Well-Known Member
Year 1969. While the TjB was in sunset mode Herb Alpert, himself, was experimenting with new musical ideas and the BMB was rocketing to new artistic heights.
- Warm was Herb’s first "non-TjB sounding" LP — so much so, that it’s more of a solo effort than a "brass" type outing. To that end, Herb’s delivers an outstanding Brazilian piece, fronts larger ensembles on a couple pieces, sings two numbers, and provides a handful of memorable instrumental arrangements. Overall, Warm is a rather good LP that could have been a very good LP had Herb’s trumpet playing been optimal. Conversely, The Brass are Comin’ — another TV Special tie-in LP — is in reality a last musical spin in the Tijuana taxi for fans. While the few sparkles are notable, overall the band sounds tired and worn with the in-house material ranging from mediocre to marginal. Both LPs exhibited relatively disappointing chart numbers: Warm at #28 and TBAC at #30 — which all things considered are actually very good numbers, yet light years away from the previous seven consecutive LPs reaching the top 5 (I believe both 1969 LPs were OOP by 1972). Herb released his third and fourth Herb Alpert…vocalist 45s (not counting a DEC68 B-side), Without Her (MAY69) and You Are My Life (NOV69) while there were 2 singles released under the TjB moniker: the amazing Zazueira (MAR69) and the very enjoyable Marjorine (JUL69). Without Her and Zazueira charted at #63 and #78 respectively while the remaining two 45s did not make the Top 100.
- For all things BMB, The Wechter—Stanton team along with arranger Nick De Caro (Those Were The Days) delivered two stellar LPs that are central to the BMB’s overall 1968-69 creative plateau. On both LPs the group is performing with heightened vigor and imagination. The originals are solid and the ensemble is tight and fully committed to the proceedings.
- Vote your poll choice and tell us a bit about why you made your selection.
- Warm (SP 4190) — Those Were The Days (SP 4167)
- The Brass Are Comin’ (SP 4228) — Fresh Air (SP 4200)
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