Stan Getz plays with five different lineups on the recordings from 1954 and 1955 featured on
Stan Getz and the Cool Sounds. The cool-toned, mellow tenor saxophonist starts off with four tracks accompanied by pianist
Lou Levy, bassist
Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer
Shelly Manne, with the easygoing swinger "Our Love Is Here to Stay" taking top honors. Valve trombonist
Bob Brookmeyer is added to the mix for two quintet selections, both of which feature pianist
John Williams anchoring two different rhythm sections. The very hot "Flamingo" finds
Getz and
Brookmeyer alternating choruses and engaging in intricate counterpoint, while
Brookmeyer's "Rustic Hop" cooks at an even higher temperature, with both players inspiring one another to the top of their respective games. Pianist
Jimmy Rowles, drummer
Max Roach, and bassist
Bobby Whitlock back
Getz in a swinging take of "Nobody Else But Me" and the overlooked chestnut "Down by the Sycamore Tree." Trumpeter
Tony Fruscella, who died far too young, takes
Brookmeyer's place in two works written by the underrated trumpeter and composer
Phil Sunkel, the mid-tempo "Blue Bells" and the boogie-woogie-flavored "Roundup Time."