Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra - Communication (1971)

The first of two LPs Nelson Riddle recorded for the German label MPS remains a singular entry in his catalog. An intoxicating mosaic of jazz, pop, and Latin elements, Communication stands as a monumental testament to Riddle's consummate skill as an arranger and his almost alchemical faculty for creating a seamless whole from disparate parts. Emphasizing deep, tight rhythms and alluringly hazy washes of sound, the album boasts an overwhelming funkiness even more surprising given Riddle's roots in the big-band era. Its grooves are loose and spontaneous, yet plainly the work of a master craftsman.~Jason Ankeny