Stan Getz - Cool Velvet And Voices (1995)

Two of tenor-saxophonist Stan Getz's lesser-known (and least significant) albums are combined on this single Verve CD. Just prior to recording his bossa-nova hits, Getz is backed by a string section arranged by Russ Garcia in 1960 on a variety of melodic standards (the Cool Velvet portion of this disc) while in 1966 he is joined by both a string section and a vocal choir arranged by Claus Ogerman. Some of the latter performances border on muzak. Although Getz's tone sounds as beautiful as ever, no fire is lit under his playing and his accompaniment is difficult to sit through.