Quadromania gives
Gene "Jug" Ammons the deluxe treatment in this four-disc box of recordings made between 1947 and 1955. The tracks here span his stints with both
Billy Eckstine and
Woody Herman's
Third Herd, as well as his double saxophone groups with
Sonny Stitt, and his own groups (pre-organ combos). The material ranges from swing to R&B, and jump jazz to standards, and his big meaty sound is always obvious no matter how many other horns are present. The only problem with the box is that it seems to be arranged in an order only discernible in the mind of the compilation's producers. It is not assembled chronologically, nor is it assembled by group personnel or even, seemingly, aesthetically, which can make it an occasionally frustrating, head-scratching experience to listen to. Add to that the varying sound quality on some of these recordings and the listener would have to be a real fan to be able to completely enjoy all that this set has to offer. The price however, is quite attractive, so perhaps you get what you pay for.