JAZZ / ALBUM REVIEWS

JON HENDRICKS “Freddie Freeloader” Denon

Guest artists abound on this session. George Benson is in splendid virtuosic form, singing Hendricks’ words to what was originally a Cannonball Adderley sax solo on the title cut, from Miles Davis’ classic “Kind of Blue” date. On the same track, Bobby McFerrin sings the Wynton Kelly piano solo, Al Jarreau handles lyrics to Miles’ solo and Hendricks himself tackles the John Coltrane passage. Hendricks’ vocals with the Count Basie band on “Fas’ Living Blues” and “The Finer Things in Life” are delightful. Wynton Marsalis has solos on two cuts and Manhattan Transfer, aided by multiple overdubbing, is gloriously effective on “High As a Mountain,” based on Miles Davis-Gil Evans’ “Song Number Two.” Few weak numbers here, showing Hendricks remains the supreme master of vocalese.