This CD is a bit of a disappointment, not for the music but for the packaging. During 1979-1980, Biograph came out with two
Zoot Sims LPs (
One to Blow On and
The Big Stampede) that contained 16 selections in all. But this CD just has ten of the songs, seven of the eight tunes from the first album (why did they leave out "September in the Rain"?) and three of the eight numbers from the second date. The incomplete nature of this reissue series is a pity for the music is excellent.
Sims's tenor fits in very well with the valve trombone of
Bob Brookmeyer during the earlier quintet date and also blends nicely with the cool-toned trumpet of
Jerry Lloyd on the final three numbers. The music is swinging with
Sims already starting to show an original musical personality built out of the sound of
Lester Young. But the CD is only recommended to those listeners unable to find the two earlier LPs.