Legends & Lions: Swingin' is one of a pair of specially priced compilations simultaneously released by Mack Avenue at a special price to showcase their artists. Unlike typical collections, this CD combines previously issued tracks and music from future projects along with one unissued track that evidently will not appear elsewhere. The selections range from the tasty uptempo blues "Mighty Burner," which showcases trumpeter
Rashawn Ross extensively before tenor saxophonist and leader
Ron Blake makes his entrance; to vocalist
Ilona Knopfler's sensual "Comment Allez-Vous" backed by a fine big band; to a bluesy down-home gospel-flavored treatment of "Centerpiece" that features
Kenny Burrell,
James Moody,
Teddy Edwards,
Cedar Walton, and
Oscar Brashear. The unissued track, a brisk take of "I'm Old Fashioned" featuring alto saxophonist
Bud Shank with pianist
Mike Wofford, bassist
Bob Magnusson, and drummer
Joe La Barbera, may have been set aside due to a few reed squeaks in the opening minute. This excellent sampler showcases a label that is not focused exclusively either on veteran artists or rising stars, but one that simply seeks to record valuable jazz. ~ Ken Dryden