Buddy Morrow

Tito Puente - Quatro: The Definitive Collection (2012) {5CD Box Set, Sony Music Latin 88725469882 rec 1956-1960}
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© 1956-60, 2012 Sony Music Latin | 8872 546988 2
Jazz / Latin / Cuban Traditions / Mambo / Afro-Cuban Jazz

Quatro: The Definitive Collection assembles four truly classic Tito Puente albums recorded between 1955 and 1960 for RCA, and adds a disc of outtakes, alternate takes, and rarities in a lavishly designed limited-edition box set. The box is 6" x 6" with each album housed individually in a thick cardboard sleeve with back and front facsimile cover art. These four albums were cut in chronological order: Cuban Carnival (1956), Night Beat (1957), Dance Mania (1958), and Revolving Bandstand (1960), the last recorded in collaboration with the Buddy Morrow Orchestra.

Charlie Ventura & Flip Phillips - The Complete Verve/Clef Studio Sessions (1998) {6CD Box Set Mosaic MD6-182 rec 1947-1957}
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© 1947-57, 1998 Verve / Clef / Mosaic Records / PolyGram | MD6-182
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

Although they were never major influences, both Flip Phillips and Charlie Ventura had their moments of fame and were entertaining and hard-swinging tenor saxophonists. This 1998 limited-edition six-CD box set from Mosaic is typically wondrous with quite a few little-heard gems included among the 116 selections (five previously unreleased, three of which are alternate takes). The first two CDs feature Charlie Ventura during 1951-1954, right after his "Bop for the People" band broke up.

Fourteen years after her last record, singer Lee Wiley came back for one final studio recording. Although she does a good job on "Indiana" and "I'm Coming, Virginia" and the backup band (which includes trumpeter Rusty Dedrick, clarinetist Johnny Mince, trombonist Buddy Morrow, and pianist Dick Hyman) is excellent, in general this is a disappointing LP. Wiley's voice was no longer in its prime and, although her distinctive phrasing was still intact, her earlier sessions are far superior while her final Carnegie Hall recording is much more emotional and historic. The CD version released by Audiophile tacks on a 1965 demo session recorded with Joe Bushkin.