Great Small Band Swing
nadav haber | jerusalem Israel | 11/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Tenor of Ike Quebec was always strong, but on these recordings it is really fierce. For those who know Quebec from his bossa Nova CD "Soul Samba", from 1962, these early recordings may come as a shock. His sound is big, full, and completely in the "Coleman Hawkins" tradition.
the Tracks are all strong, from the bluesy opener "Blue Harlem" to the jumping closer "that's the lick".
The recordings here paralleled the bebop revolution, but the style is still mostly uninfluenced by Parker's innovations. The musicians - Tiny Grimes, Jonah Jones, Tyree Glenn, Buck Clayton, Shad Collins, roy Eldridge,Bill Coleman, Sammy Price, Trummy young and such - are the cream of the small band swing style that was still popular and influential in the 40's.
It is hard to single out one track, as they are all performed brilliantly. HIghly recommended for those interested in the small band swing style."