Herbie Mann - When Lights Are Low (1957)

Tracklist

01. When Lights Are Low (Williams) - 6:04
02. Little Niles (Weston) - 6:13
03. Old Honkie Tonk Piano Roll Blues (Mann) - 4:45
04. Pretty Baby (Salim) - 5:00
05. Beautiful Love (Young-King-Van Alstyne-Gillespie) - 6:34
06. Hip Scotch (Puma) - 3:43
07. Song for Ruth (Mann) - 4:25
08. Noga's Nuggets (Pettiford) - 4:07
09. A Ritual (Mann) - 3:47

This Portrait LP (a 1988 reissue of an Epic album titled Salute to the Flute) found flutist Herbie Mann accompanied for the first time by a big band on five of the nine selections. Prior to 1959, virtually all of Mann's recordings were bop-oriented, and this one is no exception. Whether it be "Little Niles," "When Lights Are Low," "Beautiful Love" or even "Old Honky Tonk Piano Roll Blues," Mann proves to be an excellent bop soloist; other important players on this date include trumpeter Joe Wilder, altoist Anthony Ortega, pianist Hank Jones, guitarist Joe Puma and bassist Oscar Pettiford. This LP will be a difficult one to find.~Scott Yanow