In the Wind

Posthumous release of quartet compositions played by McIntyre overdubbed. Really nice stuff, with compositions that draw from the very early days of jazz -- you could picture some of the themes becoming barbershop quartet music, if only there were lyrics (1,10). That McIntyre has passed away makes the carefree tone a bit poignant.

McIntyre had a long and distinguished career, appearing on records such as Cecil Taylor's "Unit Structures." So while the compositing draws from the old days, the soloing gets into some interesting free territory. Don't let that put you off, though -- the soloing actually resembles the ragtime chaos of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. This is a warm, friendly session with plenty to inspire the straight-jazz fan.

The strangest sounding tracks are the all-double-reed ones (oboe and bassoon, basically): 2, 5, 9.

1- (CLARINETS.) Folky ragtime feel.
2- (DOUBLE REEDS.) Sparse, halting, but still quite happy. More modern feel.
3- (FLUTES.) Quiet and soft, but not too slow.
4- (SAXOPHONES.) Modern feel, more chamber-like, with some great soloing
5- (DOUBLE REEDS.) Blues! Sly and soulful
6- (CLARINETS.) Chaotically bobbing, but not too fast or wild. Fun.
7- (FLUTES.) Romantic flutes, with a touch of mystery. Midtempo.
8- (SAXOPHONES.) Happy midtempo, lots of criss-crossing lines.
9- (DOUBLE REEDS.) A bit more modern, with Asian-sounding themes. Voice at the beginning indicates it's written in "eight sharps!"
10- (CLARINETS.) Cute, showtuney, a bit romantic. Great harmony.
11- (FLUTES.) An uptempo blues. Perky.