If one were to believe the clichés and stereotypes common in some jazz history books, this duo should not have worked. By 1955,
Lionel Hampton was a veteran swing vibraphonist while
Stan Getz was the leader of the "cool school" of young tenors. But what these two masters had in common (in addition to a healthy respect for each other's talents) was the ability to swing as hard as possible. Joined by a fine trio, the duo really rips into "Cherokee" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside" (listen to their blistering tradeoffs) and, even with a fine ballad medley, it is these torrid jams that make this a highly recommended LP. ~ Scott Yanow