Trumpeter
Joe Newman, some
Basie men, and a few other sympathetic sidemen play an enjoyable set of 1950s swing on this CD reissue. Six of the ten numbers team
Newman with trombonist
Billy Byers, altoist Gene Quill, tenorman
Frank Foster, pianist
John Lewis (a perfect fill-in for
Count Basie), guitarist
Freddie Green, bassist
Milt Hinton and drummer
Osie Johnson, while the other selections have
Newman playing in a quintet with
Frank Wess (who doubles on tenor and flute) and pianist
Sir Charles Thompson. Whether it be a veteran standard or a newer song by
Ernie Wilkins or
Manny Albam, the music always swings and the talented musicians are in fine form. ~ Scott Yanow