Voices

Getz worked yet another angle during the '60s with this appealing jazz combo and choral mix. He had already followed up a slew of straight jazz dates with some initial forays into the world of strings and, of course, his massively successful explorations of bossa nova. Now, Getz plies his melancholy yet breezy horn through a seraphic and somewhat haunting backdrop of subtle bossa rhythms, strings, and a wordless choir. While it doesn't eclipse his innovative work with arranger Eddie Sauter (the strings date Focus and soundtrack Mickey One), Voices still features a wealth of top arrangements, a fine backing group, and plenty of Getz's hypnotic brand of saxophone alchemy. Sporting charts by Claus Ogerman and the talents of such jazz luminaries as Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Ron Carter, and Grady Tate, Voices may not qualify as an essential Getz disc, but it is one that will be enjoyed immensely by fans. [Voices is also available on a two-fer disc with 1960's strings album Cool Velvet. The 2003 Japanese reissue of the album does not contain extra material, but it does have dramatically improved sound, being remastered at 24 bit, and features an exact, mini replica of the original cover in heavy gatefold cardboard with a rice paper sleeve to house the disc.] ~ Stephen Cook