The fourth and final recording by
Ernie Wilkins' "Almost Big Band" (a 13-piece group including ten horns) features the leader's arrangements of five of his swinging compositions plus "Lover Man."
Wilkins' pieces include several tributes ("Almost Basie," "Ode to Billy Strayhorn" and "A Little Bit of Duke") and among his better-known sidemen (all Europeans or American expatriates) are trombonist
Richard Boone (who sings "B.P. Blues"), the tenors of
Jesper Thilo and
Bent Jaedig, baritonist
Per Goldschmidt, pianist
Kenny Drew and drummer
Ed Thigpen. Excellent swinging music.