This Sonet LP finds Art Farmer with an atypical supporting group that includes fellow veteran Red Mitchell on bass, Latin percussionist Sabú Martínez, and several Europeans, among them guitarist Jan Schaffer and pianist Goran Strandberg. The opener, an easygoing take of "It Might As Well Be Spring," finds Farmer finally opening up in the closing chorus. Farmer's rich-toned flugelhorn interacts beautifully with Mitchell's imaginative bassline in the swinging take of "Come Rain or Come Shine," while the brisk bossa nova "Green Witch" is one of the more challenging charts on the date, with Farmer switching to trumpet. "A Sleeping Bee" is often played at fast tempos, but the hip-swaying, relaxed arrangement better showcases lyrical solos by the leader and Mitchell. This excellent record is long overdue to be reissued on CD. - Ken Dryden
Tracks
1. It Might As Well Be Spring (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II)
2. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer)
3. Green Witch (Hörst Mühlbradt
4. A Sleeping Bee (Harold Arlen/Truman Capote)
5. A Bitty Ditty (Art Farmer)
6. Smiling Billy (Jimmy Heath)
7. Art for Lunch (Art Farmer) [bonus track]
8. It Might as Well Be Spring (Oscar Hammerstein II/Richard Rodgers) [bonus track-alternate take]
9. Smilin' Billy (Jimmy Heath) [bonus track-alternate take]
RED MITCHELL bass
ISLAND OSTLUND drums
TONY INZALACO drums
JAN SCHAFFER guitar
SABU MARTINEZ percussion
GÖRAN STRANDBERG piano
Recorded and produced in Europa Film Studios, Sweden 1974
Grammofonverket – EFG-501 5 084 (Sweden)