“Another major facet of Mulligan’s career was piano-free quartets. In the early ’50s these bands, which Mulligan typically co-led with trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker, were astonishing in their lean, lyrical sound. The absence of a piano allowed the horn players unusual freedom and helped catalyze a trend toward more intimate ensembles. By the mid-’50s Baker, thanks to his matinee-idol good looks and virtuosity, had become a rising star. Mulligan found others to share the frontline, and one of the most simpatico matches was trumpeter Art Farmer. But their collaboration was infrequently documented, which makes Mulligan’s “Spring in Stockholm” a treat.
Farmer also had a supremely lyrical side to his playing, but he could dig into the blues. The recording begins with an uptempo workout, “As Catch Can,” which features both Mulligan and Farmer racing at classic bebop speed and complexity. The pace slows considerably for the Vernon Duke/Ira Gershwin standard “I Can’t Get Started With You,” and Mulligan moves to the piano. He’s a fine pianist—but it’s a slight disappointment, as he’s quite possibly the best baritone sax player in jazz history. Mulligan’s jaunty reed solo is the prime feature of the Jule Styne nugget “Just in Time.” The bluesy “Spring Is Sprung” offers significant space for bassist Bill Crow, a longtime associate of Mulligan, and drummer Dave Bailey.
Farmer’s “Blueport” is the high point of the program. Both horns interlock, and it spurs Mulligan toward his most aggressive and probing solo. Farmer responds at length, countering his bandmate with long, graceful lines.
Decades-old, newly discovered live and studio recordings of jazz greats have become an important part of the genre’s landscape in recent years. Such releases fill in gaps in stellar players’ discographies and shed new light on overlooked chapters of their careers. Unfortunately, relative to his stature, Mulligan has been underrepresented in this trend. Hopefully, RHIS fine album is the first of several from this influential artist.”
Excerpt from Martin Johnson’s review of SPRING IN STOCKHOLM – To Be Released November 15, 2024 which appeared in the 10.24. 2024 Edition of the Wall Street Journal