Aug 1, 2017
A living legend is back with his sixth album in the past seven years. Herb Alpert, the famed trumpeter and former record company executive, works with producer Jochem van der Saag on the new album Music Vol. 1. The combination of these two talents is masterful and satisfying, and it produces a collection that will please several generations of fans.
The album features primarily cover songs with new treatments that emphasize rhythms and backbeats, and this review not only takes a look at the new album, but also offers a peek at Alpert’s phenomenal success in the music industry. It was 55 years ago this year, for example, that Alpert and his Tijuana Brass began conquering the charts with his first hit album and single, The Lonely Bull.
Music Vol. 1 features unique renditions on some familiar classics such as the Beatles “Michelle,” John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and Nate King Cole’s “Unforgettable” as well as new version of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.” Alpert also brings back one the TJB’s early hits, “Flamingo,” the album’s first single.
Alpert received a Grammy nomination for the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for his 2016 work, Human Nature. In many ways, Music Vol. 1 is a superior collection, and should not only receive a 2017 nomination, which would be his 25th, but he can be considered a strong early favorite.