Manny Albam Jazz Greats Of Our Time-Complete Recordings CD - Import

This double-disc compilation of jazz classics includes several recordings from 1957 and features jazz greates from both coasts.
Manny Albam led many fine all-star big bands assembled specifically for recording sessions, and this compilation combines two related Coral LPs into a double-CD set. The first volume is a star-studded disc with Gerry Mulligan, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, and Phil Woods in the reed section; Bob Brookmeyer, Nick Travis, and Art Farmer making up the brass section; and the rhythm team of Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, and Osie Johnson. Albam sticks mostly to originals. He spreads the solo responsibilities around a good bit while playing musicians against one another with inspired countermelodies. "My Sweetie Went Away," associated with Lester Young but dating from the 1920s, provides a bit of contrast to the remainder of the material. The second disc focuses heavily on West Coast players like Richie Kamuca, Conte Candoli, Bill Holman, and Shelly Manne, though there's a ringer on trumpet, Harry "Sweets" Edison (identified under a pseudonym on the original record). Edison makes his presence known with "Sweet's -- Bread" and his easily identified muted horn in "Jive at Five." Candoli and Jack Sheldon trade licks in "How Long Has This Been Going On." Although each of these albums was reissued during the LP era, this Lone Hill Jazz compilation marks their first appearance in the CD era. ~ Ken Dryden
Manny Albam's decision to quit playing and stick exclusively to arranging, composing, and leading large ensembles produced many fine records during the 1950s and 1960s, though most of them, such as this Coral LP, have unjustly languished out of print for decades. Albam leads a truly all-star tentet with Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Bob Brookmeyer, Nick Travis, and Art Farmer, along with a rhythm section consisting of Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, and Osie Johnson. Most of these 1957 sessions are devoted to Albam's cool but swinging original works, each of which features great solos and superb interplay among the musicians. One oddity is the inclusion of the 1920s-era "My Sweetie Went Away," which somewhat resembles Mulligan's composition "Jeru," though the playing is first-rate. Cohn trades his usual tenor sax for baritone to join Mulligan in Albam's humorous "Poor Dr. Millmous" (whose title was inspired by a James Thurber cartoon). Consider yourself fortunate if you locate a copy of this rare album. ~ Ken Dryden

The first CD of this set offers the two volumes recorded in 1957 under the generic title of ''The Jazz Greats Of Our Time'', one with important jazzmen from the East Coast, and the other with equally important jazz musicians from the West Coast. The second CD rounds out the previous one with two titles recorded at the same sessions that took place for the two LPs ''The Jazz Greats of Our Time'', but which were originally edited for a historic album titled ''Jazz Cornucopia''. Lonehill. 2004.