Double dose of jazz-funk heaven on this excellent vinyl reissue of Columbia’s promo-only release of Maynard Ferguson’s dancefloor masterpieces ‘Pagliacci and ‘Primal Scream’.
Side A’s ‘Pagliacci’, jazz trumpeter Ferguson puts a genius twist on his unlikely operatic source material, creating a disco tour-de force that became a staple of the NYC club scene on its original release in ’76.
Over on Side B, we have the equally accomplished ‘Primal Scream’ - a slightly slower pace doesn’t lessen the drama in this superb jazz-funk workout with tight drums and bass keeping the tension building while the brass soars above.