A former two-LP set with 32 tracks becomes a single CD consisting of the first 25 numbers. The packaging was shrunk to the point where the liner notes (which refer to all 32 songs) are nearly microscopic...But at least it is "an exact reproduction." Although this reissue from the Japanese Denon label could have been executed better, the music is excellent.
Don Byas, one of the great tenors of the 1940s, is featured with groups ranging from a quartet to a sextet; the sideman include trumpeters
Charlie Shavers,
Emmett Berry and
Benny Harris, altoist Rudy Williams, pianists
Clyde Hart, Dave Rivera,
Jimmy Jones,
Teddy Brannon and
Sanford Gold, bassists
Slam Stewart and
Milt Hinton and drummers
J.C. Heard and
Max Roach.
Byas is in superior form on these late-period swing performances...it will interest those who can't find the original, better-packaged two-LP set (put out by Arista in the 1970s). ~ Scott Yanow