The Golden Sword (album)

The ten tracks "pay tribute to aspects of Mexico".[2] "Carlos" is a tribute to bullfighter Carlos Arruza.[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]

The Golden Sword was released by Pacific Jazz Records.[2] AllMusic rated the album with 4½ stars; in his review, Scott Yanow called it "One of Gerald Wilson's most memorable albums".[2] An All About Jazz reviewer described it as "one of the best Wilson albums of the entire Pacific Jazz lot".[3]

All compositions by Gerald Wilson except as indicated

1. "The Golden Sword" - 3:11
2. "Man of La Mancha" (Joe Darion, Mitch Leigh) - 2:16
3. "The Breeze and I" (Ernesto Lecuona) - 5:23
4. "Carlos" - 5:23
5. "Chanson du Feu Follet (Song of Mad Fire)" (Manuel de Falla) - 4:07
6. "Mi Corazon (My Heart)" - 2:58
7. "Blues Latinese" - 5:35
8. "The Feather (From "Teatihuacan Suite")" - 4:15
9. "La Mentira (The Lie)" (Álvaro Carrillo) - 2:05
10. "The Serpent (From "Teatihuacan Suite")" - 4:05

• Recorded at TTG Sound Studios in Hollywood, CA on June 21, 1966 (tracks 4, 8 & 10) July 8, 1966 (tracks 1, 5 & 7) and August 19, 1966 (tracks 2, 3, 6, 8 & 9).

• Gerald Wilson - arranger, conductor, maracas
• Conte Candoli (tracks 3, 6, 8 & 9), Jules Chaikin, Freddie Hill, Nat Meeks (tracks 1, 5 & 7), Mel Moore, Jimmy Owens (tracks 4, 8 & 10), Al Porcino - trumpet
• Mike Barone, John Ewing, Lester Robertson - trombone
• Ernie Tack - bass trombone
• William Green - flute, piccolo
• Jimmy Woods - soprano saxophone, alto saxophone (tracks 1, 4, 5, 7, 8 & 10)
• Anthony Ortega - alto saxophone, flute
• Teddy Edwards, Harold Land - tenor saxophone
• Jack Nimitz - baritone saxophone
• Roy Ayers (tracks 1, 4, 5, 7, 8 & 10), Victor Feldman (tracks 2, 3, 6, 8 & 9) - vibraphone
• Jack Wilson - piano
• Laurindo Almeida - guitar (tracks 2, 3, 6, 8 & 9)
• Buddy Woodson - double bass
• Mel Lee - drums
• Max Garduno congas