It is ironic that the Contemporary label came out with five CDs worth of unknown material by
the Terry Gibbs Big Band while Polygram has completely neglected its studio sides by the same group. The music on this set, last available as a Trip LP, was the first by
Gibbs' "Dream Band," a swinging outfit of top studio musicians who were based in L.A. at the time. This album is comprised of two arrangements apiece by
Bill Holman,
Bob Brookmeyer,
Manny Albam,
Al Cohn,
Med Flory and
Marty Paich, which pay tribute to
Benny Goodman,
Artie Shaw,
Count Basie,
Duke Ellington,
Lionel Hampton and
Tommy Dorsey. The tunes are mostly overly familiar (including "Stardust," "Cotton Tail," "Begin the Beguine" and "Flying Home") and clock in around three minutes, meaning that the solos are quite concise, but there are some good individual moments from the vibraphonist/leader, trumpeter
Conte Candoli, and trombonist
Frank Rosolino.