This British import draws its material from three sessions led by drummer
Buddy Rich during 1954-1955. The first three selections have
Rich leading an intriguing octet in Los Angeles that is most notable for including trumpeter
Harry "Sweets" Edison and altoist
Willie Smith. "Sunday" and "The Monster" are from a 1955 session in which
Rich is teamed with two trumpeters, two tenors, rhythm guitarist
Freddie Green, bassist
Ray Brown, and the amazing
Oscar Peterson. "Sunday" swings hard but it is the lengthy "The Monster" that is most remarkable.
Rich and
Peterson trade off at length before the drummer launches into a lengthy and rather dazzling drum solo. The remainder of this CD completely reissues the album
Buddy and Sweets.
Rich and
Edison are joined by pianist
Jimmy Rowles, guitarist
Barney Kessel, and bassist
John Simmons for a set of standards and basic originals that swing, not too surprisingly, like
Count Basie's band. Listeners who do not have this material elsewhere are advised to pick up this consistently satisfying CD. ~ Scott Yanow