Miracle - Frank Mantooth

An excellent big-band album from Frank Mantooth that gets off to a stirring start with a Diane Schuur/Kevin Mahogany duet. There's more scatting than words on this cut, which Mahogany is clearly much more comfortable with than Schuur. Mantooth uses three sets of musicians in differing combinations, but they all work well together. To say that Mantooth is influenced by Stan Kenton is an understatement -- Mantooth's timing, tempos, dynamics, disciplined ensemble work, and arrangements (which sometimes slip into a quasi-symphonic mode) vividly recall Kenton at his very best. Also, like Kenton, the band features outstanding solo work. Kirk Garrison's Maynard Ferguson-like trumpet takes the lead on "Guarujá" and Bobby Shew's horn follows suit on Henry Mancini's "Dreamsville." "Beyond the Sea" has forceful musical statements by Art Davis on trumpet, Pat LaBarbera on tenor, and Paul McKee on trombone. "Thou Swell," done with a taste of Latin beat, is the solo vehicle for veteran tenor player Pete Christlieb, where he shares the stage with Bobby Shew. "Limehouse Blues" opens with a long guitar solo by Danny Embrey before segueing into a rousing rendition of this longtime barn burner. Unlike his previous albums, Mantooth provides more space for vocalists. In addition to their duet on the first cut, Schuur solos on "One for Monterey," and Mahogany solos on "Three Little Words" and "I'll Never Stop Loving You." (On the latter, Mahogany strays off-key from time to time.) "Three Little Words" is not the 1930 pop hit by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby but Mahogany's own composition. This mixture produces a nice balance between more subdued vocal numbers and the rip-roaring arrangements featuring instrumental solos. Sea Breeze Records, one of the more active labels producing big-band albums, has a winner with Mantooth's A Miracle. The picture of the cherubic young boy on the album cover is a pleasant departure from the rather grotesque covers that have graced Mantooth's previous albums. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide