This post is by Scott
Recorded January 1980
Mirror, Mirror is sometimes compared to Stan Getz's excellent Captain Marvel (Columbia, 1974), and it's easy to understand why. Chick Corea is a prominent sideman on both records, and he contributes key composition to both albums as well. (In the case of Mirror, Mirror, Corea contributes two pieces, the album's opening and closing cuts.) Also, both albums share a predominantly lyrical mood.
Listening to this album, one is struck by the group's cohesion and flexibility. The music seems to flow effortlessly. Rather than being floored by the solos, it's the interlocking, dancing aspects of the music that most capture the listener's attention.
Edel, the current owners of the MPS catalog, recently reissued Mirror, Mirror on vinyl. Their long-held reputation for issuing albums with exquisite audio fidelity holds true here. One of the many pleasures of this LP is hearing Billy Higgins' drumming, and his skittering, dancing sound is captured in all its glory.
Mirror, Mirror is one of several "double favorites" selected by both Scott and me. I agree with his appraisal completely. Standout moments on this album include Ron Carter's huge sound, which is clearly rendered on the Edel vinyl reissue; the cool on passage on "Keystone" where the drums and bass play a duet with only a few single notes from Corea; the modal "Joe's Bolero" which extends to almost 10 minutes; and fantastic solos by Higgins and Corea on Chick's "Blues for Liebestraum."
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