AMG Review of Jazz at Midnight [RCA]

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The first of two CDs of ballads put out by RCA that are meant to attenuate that "special mood," this is a hodgepodge collection of music easily available elsewhere. Starting with Sonny Rollins' rendition of "'Round Midnight" and continuing with numbers by Dizzy Gillespie, Cleo Laine, Coleman Hawkins ("Sophisticated Lady"), Lionel Hampton, Warren Hill (a token crossover star), Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, James Moody, Lee Konitz, Lena Horne ("The Man I Love"), Paul Horn and two apiece from Paul Desmond and Chet Baker, all of the music is at slow tempos and features melodic improvising. It succeeds at its intended effect, superior background music that will not disturb anyone.