Few veterans of the classic bebop era were still active in 2000, and even fewer were still in their musical prime. Don Lanphere is a major exception. Rather than just recreating the past (which in his case includes leading a date that featured Fats Navarro), Lanphere always looks ahead. "Like a Bird," is one more in a string of excellent Don Lanphere recordings made since 1980, in this instance using the classic tenor/organ/guitar/drums grouping for the first time in his long and storied career. The boppish saxes of Lanphere, the clean strumming of Bay-area guitarist Mimi Fox along with former Motown drummer Mel Brown's and Barney McClure's organ groove and soul, produce a swinging, unique group sound. Originally released in 2000.
Few veterans of the classic bebop era were still active in 2000, and even fewer were still in their musical prime. Don Lanphere is a major exception. Rather than just recreating the past (which in his case includes leading a date that featured Fats Navarro), Lanphere always looks ahead. "Like a Bird," is one more in a string of excellent Don Lanphere recordings made since 1980, in this instance using the classic tenor/organ/guitar/drums grouping for the first time in his long and storied career. The boppish saxes of Lanphere, the clean strumming of Bay-area guitarist Mimi Fox along with former Motown drummer Mel Brown's and Barney McClure's organ groove and soul, produce a swinging, unique group sound. Originally released in 2000.