Maynard Ferguson ~ Canada ~ USA

Carnival (1978)

As with Primal Scream and Conquistador, Carnival is an album I acquired in high school and doubtful it made it to college with me. I had forgotten about this title actually, and its impact was far less than the other two. If memory serves, this album showed up about a year later in my collection, and my brain was going underground by then. The 69 cent bin comes in handy once again, and let's see if I remember any of it. This is also the first vintage Maynard album for me to hear on CD (not counting Diane Schuur).

As with Conquistador, the album opens up somewhat in proggy territory, before finding its way into more friendly funky big band sounds. Strings and a light disco beat add that Love Boat cruise ship feel. That's not to say the funky beats aren't complex and well written. This isn't dance music, more like cocktail hour on the Lido Deck. The second track is my all-time favorite Earth Wind and Fire song 'Fantasy'. A very unique arrangement and entirely satisfying. 'Battlestar Galactica' is a repeat of the same idea and same placement as 'Star Trek' from Conquistador, which was one album prior. 'Stella by Starlight' is an old school jazz lounger.

The second side opens with 'Birdland', a signature song written by Joe Zawinul of Weather Report and can be found on Heavy Weather. We used to play this tune in our high school stage band in 1982-83, which may have been the impetus for me buying this. 'Baker Street' is an unnecessary cover of Gerry Rafferty's hit single. 'How Ya Doin' Baby?' sounds like a caricature of funk. The album closes with a smooth jazz rendition of 'Over the Rainbow', and you can imagine how that sounds.

Yea, I can see why this title didn't register much with me. The other two are powerful and dynamic. Carnival plays more to its perceived audience rather than asking the audience to accept what Ferguson brings. The opening two tracks are the winners here. I can move on from this title.

Source: 2003 Wounded Bird (CD). Booklet with recording details.

1982 (LP acquired); 12/22/25 (review)

Primal Scream (1976)

Not long after I acquired Conquistador in high school, I ventured deeper into Ferguson's catalog and purchased Primal Scream. In reflection I may have bought his two best albums, using nothing more than my instincts at the time. As with Conquistador, I didn't give my music palate a chance to expand, and ultimately parted with it by the time I reached college. In my first revisit since (40+ years?), I hear this album as nothing short of great. Plenty of deep grooves to back up Ferguson's impressive lineup of jazz A-listers. I really appreciate the jazz funk cop show-ish 'Invitation', a track I was recently reminded of from Jaco Pastorius (of all artists). Nostalgia + great music = a long residence at Casa UMR. I'd put Ferguson in the same category as Sergio Mendes and Deodato: Regular thrift shop records that belong in your collection.

Ownership: 1976 Columbia (LP)

 
1981 (LP acquired); 10/4/24 (LP reacquired / review)

 

New Vintage (1977)

I've been in the mood for big band jazz funk of late, and Maynard Ferguson was one of the leading lights in this area. I'm familiar with most of his output from this era, including the excellent Conquistador and Primal Scream (see reviews here), but this is one title I missed. And I can see why now. Fairly generic with the usual mix of covers, disco, and stage band. Misses the vibrancy of his best work.

Source:  1977 Columbia (LP)

 
8/2/24 (review)

 

M.F. Horn 4 & 5: Live at Jimmy's (1972)

Wow, the first side is excellent recalling the powerful 'Give it One' from MF Horn 2. My kind of rocking big band sounds. The rest is pretty standard "stage band" fare, the kind of music I used to play while in high school. Well done for what it is, but not something I will listen to much and can sell. But side 1 almost had me keeping it. 

Source: 1972 Columbia (2xLP)

4/18/22 (review)

M. F. Horn Two (1972)

Ferguson has something very interesting going here - that of a big band rock album. Not horn or brass rock, but big band. Terje Rypdal started his career with a similar type effort. The opener 'Give it One' packs a wallop, with multiple theme and meter changes. And jams heavy too. I would love to hear a whole album of this! The remainder is the usual Ferguson mix of cover tunes and originals, the latter being the highlight. Though I never tire of 'Theme from Shaft'. Overall, the album is quite good and unique - for my collection at the very least.

Ownership: 1972 Columbia (LP).

 
3/9/22 (acquired / review)

Conquistador (1977)

This was the first jazz album I ever bought, going all the way back to 1981 while still a sophomore in high school. Ferguson was popular with the brass section of our school marching band, which I was part of. I really enjoyed it at first, but I didn't really have a foundation or perspective for the music, and a few years later I parted with it. I don't think I allowed myself a chance to like it honestly. Now it fits perfectly with my ever increasing interest in jazz funk. I'm a sucker for the 'Rocky Theme' anyway, and what better way to open an album. 'Mister Mellow' and 'Soar Like an Eagle' are superb jazz funk numbers. And the title track starts off in progressive rock territory of all things. After the opening trumpet proclamations, it breaks down into a massive oft-kilter bass and drum riff, before joining the rest of the album's genre motif. Today I consider this an excellent album and glad to be reunited.

Ownership: 1977 Columbia (LP). Half-Speed Mastered. 

1981 (LP acquired); 3/12/22 (LP reacquired / review)

Diane Schuur / Maynard Ferguson - Swingin' For Schuur (2001)

This one goes back to 2019 when I bought a huge pile of CDs for pennies. Pretty good late night noir-ish release. Schuur does a decent job at the femme fatale role, though she isn't really sultry enough. When it's her and the band, the music is nice for driving. But oh boy, is Maynard Ferguson all wrong for music like this or what? His "primal scream" trumpet is all over the recording, and it's like an air raid siren blaring on top of a symphony orchestra. This music is made for Miles Davis and his followers. For me, 'Bésame Mucho' is the highlight of the 12 songs here. 

Source: 2001 Concord (CD)

11/28/21 (review)

7/29/22 (new entry)