Crawl Space - Art Farmer

"Crawl Space" ranks among my all-time favorite albums. It was my first introduction to Art Farmer as a trumpeter and flugelhornist. The cover art is incredibly striking, offering a glimpse of the sonic experience ahead—stoic yet smooth, sultry yet intense.

Crawl Space - In my view, this is an incredibly cool song. It's likely my second favorite on the entire album. The melody's simplicity is truly captivating, and the sincerity in Art's playing makes it unforgettable.

Siddhartha - The gradual development of this song is incredibly haunting. It begins with the cymbal and solo flugelhorn, later incorporating the Rhodes with a beautiful solo comping pattern. I appreciate the openness of the solo sections. The simplicity of the instrumentation provides ample opportunity for harmonic and textural exploration. Jeremy Steig's flute playing is consistently delightful on this record. It offers a pleasant and welcome contrast to Art's flugelhorn, creating an intriguing and perfectly balanced combination.

Chanson - I adore this tune as well; it's deeply heartfelt and passionate. The flute counter melody in the second A section is stunning, particularly in how it guides us into the break and then into the solo section. Chanson has a strong groove, with Will Lee's pocket providing an undeniable foundation that frames everything beautifully. Once more, Jeremy's flute solo elegantly ties everything together, leading back into Eric Gale's guitar lines.

Petite Belle - This is my favorite track on the album. The melody captivates me completely. What enhances it even more is how Steve Gadd seamlessly navigates through the tune, altering the fundamental groove while maintaining impeccable timing. Jeremy's flute interjections as the tune progresses are exquisite. The change in solo order adds a much-needed sense of momentum for a tune like this. Although it doesn't feel stagnant, due to its simpler harmonic structure, the "excitement" in the tune must originate elsewhere, and this is perfectly achieved through the solo order. The Keys solo starts to guide us towards the conclusion, adding just the right level of intensity while easing the fire brought by the flugelhorn. The last time through the head is gorgeous, but the true highlight for me is the final note that Jeremy holds. It leaves a fleeting memory of the journey you’ve just experienced, simply beautiful.