This is one of the less important
Stan Kenton LP reissues on Creative World. Six veteran standards (all arranged by
Bill Holman) and
Gerry Mulligan's "Limelight" (with a chart from its composer) were adapted for the 1955
Stan Kenton Orchestra; all but "Limelight" are currently available on CD. The music swings well (with drummer
Mel Lewis pushing the rhythm section) and such talented soloists as altoists
Charlie Mariano and
Lennie Niehaus, tenor-saxophonist
Bill Perkins, trombonist
Carl Fontana and trumpeters
Sam Noto and
Stu Williamson are well-featured. Nothing all that innovative occurs but this accessible set should be of interest to fans of bop (in addition to
Kenton's loyal audience) who do not already have the music on CD.