Taylor was obviously in a good mood after the success with Deodato's "2001" album and allowed Cti's regular arranger Don Sebesky (the others being Deodato himself, Bob James and David Matthews) to assemble almost all the big names that recorded in Cti's history for this album.
It begins with a stunning mixture of John McLaughlin's "Bird of Fire" and a Stravinsky-piece. Billy Cobham on drums and the arrangements for the orchestra made me turning up the volume a bit louder. I just wonder why this one has to end in a fade-out as Sebesky was given space for two LP's.
"Song to a seagull" is the opposite, a slow, calm piece (a Joni Mitchell tune) with a lush Desmond solo and the orchestra in the background. Wonderful.
"Free as a bird" is the most typical jazz track here, a fast boppish tune. Not my cuppa tea but fans will definitely enjoy it (great soli by Hubbard and Washington).
"Psalm 150" starts (and ends) with some unnecessary christian lyrics but soon changes to a typical Cti song from the early 70's. Great stuff.
"Vocalise" is another classical (Rachmaninov) adaption which is being "upgraded" after the first half to a jazz song before it finishes off as slowly as it begins. This includes the only appearance on this album by Milt Jackson.
"Fly/Circles" has some vocals from the seldom heard Roy Kral and includes seemingly many different elements. A mixture of sopisticated and easier parts.
"Semi-tough" has some pop-/disco elements and is probably the most danceable one but lacks on the other side a bit of the sophistication that the other songs have. The Seawind-albums have probably the most similar sounding tunes.
Doug Payne mentions "I remember Wes" which is not included here. Most likely a bonus track on a reissue.
A must have for every serious jazz fan. This is a fairly good rip but you may here some crackle from the vinyl.
