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Album Review

Frank Mantooth Jazz Orchestra: A Miracle

by Jack Bowers

There are three tracks — “Wichita Lineman,“ “Dreamsville,” “Limehouse Blues” — on the Frank Mantooth Orchestra’s latest release that warrant inclusion in anyone’s big–band library.

But the fact that there are no more than that is mildly disappointing when one considers Mantooth’s widely recognized stature as a top–rank composer/arranger (all the charts are his except Randy Brecker’s “Guarujá,” scored by Tom Matta).

In fairness, four of the ten selections are vocals, and Mantooth has provided sumptuous orchestral backdrops for Kevin ...

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