The Pinnacle of Jazz Rock
5
By Singulitarian
Chameleon is the greatest example of high energy jazz rock. If you like trumpet screams on steroids backed by the tightest jazz band ever, you will love this album. Marks the perfect balance of big band jazz and mainstream music. Conquistador and Carnaval have some great charts, but they also reflect the slide into jazz disco. After that, Ferguson moves to combo jazz. Only other contender is MF Horn 2, which is also great, but not quite fully realized.
Proof there is a God
5
By Hopeful for the next drop.
How else can heaven on earth come to our ears.
Ph2 Owner
5
By Philnma
My HS Band Director, a great jazz trumpeter in his own right having been the screech lead player in Woody Herman’s Big Band in the hey dey, turned me on to Maynard Ferguson. Saw him live playing all the staples from this album. An all "timeless" classic album for contemporary Jazz - Pop crossover enthusiasts.
True 70's Jazz
4
By kevykev12
Jazz from the 70's are easy overlooked, but I love the sound. This album captures that sound, in a BIG way. Maynard Ferguson high notes just blow me away. Chameleon is great example. This album has excellent covers which he made his own. How many albums contain covers of Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Chick Corea, and of course the tune in Chameleon from the 5 star album Head Hunter by Herbie Hancock. My personal favorite is the Chick Corea tune, "La Fiesta" Ferguson's trumpet has rarely sounded better, and the pure energy makes it a song that I never grows tired. Oh yeah, the fender "Superbone Meets the Bad Man" is outstanding, though I'm not sure who the soloist is. My only reason for 4 stars is because he could have left a couple of songs of the list, mainly "Livin' for the City"
One of the best modern Jazz Album's ever
5
By jfmorris
I was introduced to Maynard Ferguson while taking trumpet lessons in the mid 70's, and bought and listened to him all the way through high school - and of course, did my best to memorize and play along! MF toured and played all the way up until his death in 2006, and my biggest regret is that I never got to see him live. His music and legacy will live on forever though.
Love it!!
5
By BN@BluesMasters
I must ditto much of what others have said. This stuff made band fun! La Fiesta is one of my favorites. MF demonstrates why he was a master of the stratosphere!! If you are in HS or college band this man's music is an absolute must! Also check out MF Horn 2, Live at Jimmy's (just re-released. I-tunes please add this to your data base), Conquistador. Other great songs;Birdland,Mac Arther Park
One of the Best!
5
By lord John
I began playing trumpet because of Maynard Ferguson, one of the true masters of the upper register. I highly recommend Chameleon and New Vintage as examples of some of the best jazz trumpet playing of all time.
I can't believe it!!!!!!
5
By Thomas bengtson
Again this is definatly the best album ever and no one cam change that!!!!!!! I hope he comes out with more albums:)
Chameleon
5
By fish6564
This is definitely one of Maynard's best albums! It's nice to see that the kids are still playing the songs off of it even today. I was in Jazz Band in '73 -'74 and had the honor and priviledge of getting to play Hey Jude with his band during a concert he gave in our town. We had the best jazz bad in the state at the time with a trumpet player that made Maynard take a second look It was awesome to say the least!! I adored this man when I was 17 and I still adore him now that I'm 53! He is a true artist and a jazz hero! Keep his music alive! Your parents will appreciate it and so will you many years from now.
Great
5
By Meltdown267
Awesome =]
