Personnel: Paul Desmond (alto saxophone); Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); John Beal, Wendell Marshall, Joe Benjamin (bass); Connie Kay, Mel Lewis (drums).
Principally recorded at RCA Studio A, New York, New York on June 26, July 3 & August 13, 1962. Originally released on RCA (2624).
A pinnacle of coolly understated improvisation, 1962's TWO OF A MIND is a highly successful collaboration between the contrapuntally inclined baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and the lyrical, urbane altoist Paul Desmond. As was Mulligan's penchant during most of his career, this group forgoes the presence of piano or guitar as accompaniment. But the conventional back-up isn't missed at all, as the two master jazzmen dance and weave around each other, filling potentially empty space with an elegant call-and-response that provides a rich harmonic content all on its own. It also helps that the other players include the subtly masterful drummers Connie Kay (from the MJQ) and Mel Lewis. A leisurely and exploratory "Stardust" is a highlight as is the fast tempo "The Way You Look Tonight," a workout to keep all concerned on their collective toes.
Professional Reviews
Down Beat (3/97, p.59) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...[a] lovely, forgotten record....the affair has a sureness of swing that perfectly buoys the horn's gentle counterpoint."
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