Unlike the first three CDs released by Contemporary of
Terry Gibbs' early-'60s "Dream Band," the music on the fourth and fifth volumes was out previously on Mercury. And while the earlier sets focused on swing-era standards, the fourth volume mostly has less common material.
Gibbs' all-star orchestra (which includes trumpeter
Conte Candoli, high-note trumpeter
Al Porcino, trombonist
Frank Rosolino,
Richie Kamuca and
Bill Perkins on tenors, altoists Joe Maini and Charlie Kennedy and drummer
Mel Lewis among others) swings hard on such tunes as "Day In, Day Out," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Too Close for Comfort" and "Ja-Da." It is not at all surprising that the vibraphonist-leader sounds so happy leading his short-lived band. ~ Scott Yanow