Gerry Mulligan - Mosaic Select 21 [2006] (3 x CDs)

SUNDAY JAZZ

GERRY MULLIGAN

Gerry Mulligan - Mosaic Select 21 [2006] (3 x CDs)

Mosaic Select 21, released in 2006 as a three‑CD limited edition on Mosaic Records, gathers four projects recorded by Gerry Mulligan during an unusually productive stretch in late 1957 and 1958. The material was originally created for Pacific Jazz, a label that documented Mulligan’s work with care, issuing albums in multiple formats and preserving sessions that showed his range as a baritone saxophonist, arranger and bandleader. The box presents these recordings in fresh transfers, giving listeners a clear view of Mulligan’s melodic clarity and his ability to adapt to varied ensemble settings.

The first portion features Mulligan’s reunion with Chet Baker, recorded with Henry Grimes and Dave Bailey. Although the pair had a long history, these sessions avoid nostalgia, offering relaxed phrasing and a shared sense of balance. The quartet produced enough material for two albums, though only one appeared at the time, making the additional tracks valuable for collectors who follow catalogue histories.

The centrepiece of the set is The Gerry Mulligan Songbook, presented here in stereo. Bill Holman arranged six Mulligan compositions for a saxophone section that included Lee Konitz, Allen Eager, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims and Mulligan himself, supported by Freddie Green, Henry Grimes and Dave Bailey. Mulligan contributed an additional piece for the date, and the writing throughout is crisp, elegant and deeply musical, showing how his ideas could be expanded into larger textures without losing intimacy.

Another highlight is the collaboration with the Vinnie Burke String Quartet, an unusual ensemble of guitar, violin, cello and bass with Mulligan and Bailey. Eight selections were prepared for an album that never materialised, though four later surfaced on CD. The pizzicato textures create a light, open sound that suits Mulligan’s lyrical approach.

The final portion features Annie Ross Sings a Song of Mulligan, recorded with both the reunion quartet and Mulligan’s 1958 group with Art Farmer, Bill Crow and Bailey. Ross’s pitch accuracy and musical sensitivity make her an ideal partner in a cordless setting.

Mosaic Select 21 offers a detailed view of Mulligan’s craft, captured during a remarkably focused period of recording. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Gerry Mulligan - Reunion 4:07

02 Gerry Mulligan - When Your Lover Has Gone 5:09

03 Gerry Mulligan - Star Dust 4:44

04 Gerry Mulligan - My Heart Belongs to Daddy 4:13

05 Gerry Mulligan - Jersey Bounce 4:27

06 Gerry Mulligan - Surrey With The Fringe on Top 4:42

07 Gerry Mulligan - Ornithology 5:12

08 Gerry Mulligan - Trav'lin Light 3:42

09 Gerry Mulligan - People Will Say We're in Love 3:43

10 Gerry Mulligan - Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 3:39

11 Gerry Mulligan - The Song is You 3:24

12 Gerry Mulligan - Festive Minor 4:11

13 Gerry Mulligan - I Got Rhythm 6:01

14 Gerry Mulligan - Trav'lin Light (Alt Take) 4:35

15 Gerry Mulligan - Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to Y ou (alt take) 3:33

16 Gerry Mulligan - All The Things You Are 6:47

CD2

01 Gerry Mulligan - Four and One Moore 4:24

02 Gerry Mulligan - Crazy Day 7:05

03 Gerry Mulligan - Turnstile 4:12

04 Gerry Mulligan - Sextet 4:19

05 Gerry Mulligan - Disc Jockey Jump (full version) 4:34

06 Gerry Mulligan - Venus De Milo 5:09

07 Gerry Mulligan - Revelation 5:01

08 Gerry Mulligan - Crazy Day (Mono take) 7:06

09 Gerry Mulligan - Turnstile (Mono take) 7:56

10 Gerry Mulligan - May-Reh 6:04

11 Gerry Mulligan - The Preacher 6:28

12 Gerry Mulligan - Good Bait 4:40

13 Gerry Mulligan - Bags' Groove 3:57

CD3

01 Gerry Mulligan - Lullaby in Rhythm 4:31

02 Gerry Mulligan - Body and Soul 4:24

03 Gerry Mulligan - Out of Nowhere 4:15

04 Gerry Mulligan - I'll Remember April 5:07

05 Gerry Mulligan - I Can't Get Started 5:02

06 Gerry Mulligan - I Feel Pretty 3:33

07 Gerry Mulligan - How About You? 2:50

08 Gerry Mulligan - I've Grown Accustomed to His Face 3:01

09 Gerry Mulligan - This Time The Dream's on Me 3:23

10 Gerry Mulligan - Let There Be Love 3:44

11 Gerry Mulligan - All of You 2:20

12 Gerry Mulligan - Give Me The Simple Life 3:35

13 Gerry Mulligan - This is Always 4:21

14 Gerry Mulligan - Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea 3:42

15 Gerry Mulligan - It Don't Mean A Thing If it Ain't Got That Swing 2:10

16 Gerry Mulligan - The Lady's in Love With You 2:25

17 Gerry Mulligan - My Old Flame 3:49

18 Gerry Mulligan - I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans 2:25

19 Gerry Mulligan - You Turned The Tables on Me 3:25

20 Gerry Mulligan - This is Always (first version) 4:00

21 Gerry Mulligan - I've Grown Accustomed to His Face (first version) 3:04

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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