When it comes to big bands, most jazz critics talk about Ellington as being the longest-lived. They conveniently forget the brawling, crude but hugely vibrant and influential Lionel Hampton outfit, which even today thunders on, close on 60 years later. This collection starts in 1937, five years prior to Hampton's big band, with selections from a breathlessly brilliant series of all-star small-group sessions he led for RCA Victor which should be in anyone's collection. Hampton began recording with his big band in 1942 and soon hit with "Flying Home", featuring Illinois Jacquet on a tenor sax solo which helped shape popular jazz and blues for the next decade. It also set the pattern for Hampton's own group, encouraging this natural showman to pull out all of the stops all of the time. The compilation selects sides up to December 1949, including the equally rampant 1944 "Flying Home No.2", featuring Arnett Cobb out-Jacqueting Jacquet. There are quieter moments in this set, but the whole point of Hampton is raunch and strut. Although this set doesn't benefit from the greatest of transfers from the original 78s, it is divine stuff, at a fantastic price, brilliantly packaged and annotated. --Keith Shadwick

A true master., 11 Nov 2001
Lionel Hampton is a true master of percussion and despite decades of fierce competition none have been able to surpass his mastery. This box set is a fantastic collection of his lifes works and is a must for all Jazz fans.

A true master., 11 Nov 2001
Lionel Hampton is a true master of percussion and despite decades of fierce competition none have been able to surpass his mastery. This box set is a fantastic collection of his lifes works and is a must for all Jazz fans.

Golden men swing hard, 29 May 2008
This CD is a great joy for a swing and a mainstream fan such as myself...

From Al Grey's rumbunctious trombone to Hamp's hot mallets and sensitive ballad playing, from Terry's ebulent blowing (he was still at or near his prime) to "Sweets" Edison's slightly damaged musical economy of expression...
With great rhythm section (featuring good old Milt Hinton on bas, Hank Jones on piano and "the baby of the band" Grady Tate on drums), with more than solid sax work from Buddy Tate and more modern soloist James Moody (he was still in his prime), this CD couldn't have gone wrong.

Granted, some of the stars have seen better days, and that's the only reason why only four stars for a cd that gives me such great listening pleasure. Playing swing and be-bop repertoire (including Moody's hillarious vocal take on interpretation of his own solo - "I'm in the nood for love" - complete with yodeling at the end), these golden men create the feeling of a genuine jazz festival, with plenty of great and spontanious interplay - check out the last and so often played Hamp's "Boogie Woogie", but also "Flyin' Home" and "Lover"...

If you like this CD, check out the following (but don't be surprised if some of the musicians, particularly Edison, use same phrases on different versions of the same song....):"Live at the Iridium" "Centerpiece -- Live at the Blue Note"

For some magnificent mature Clark Terry see this beautiful duo album "To Duke and Basie"

A true master., 11 Nov 2001
Lionel Hampton is a true master of percussion and despite decades of fierce competition none have been able to surpass his mastery. This box set is a fantastic collection of his lifes works and is a must for all Jazz fans.

Golden men swing hard, 29 May 2008
This CD is a great joy for a swing and a mainstream fan such as myself...

From Al Grey's rumbunctious trombone to Hamp's hot mallets and sensitive ballad playing, from Terry's ebulent blowing (he was still at or near his prime) to "Sweets" Edison's slightly damaged musical economy of expression...
With great rhythm section (featuring good old Milt Hinton on bas, Hank Jones on piano and "the baby of the band" Grady Tate on drums), with more than solid sax work from Buddy Tate and more modern soloist James Moody (he was still in his prime), this CD couldn't have gone wrong.

Granted, some of the stars have seen better days, and that's the only reason why only four stars for a cd that gives me such great listening pleasure. Playing swing and be-bop repertoire (including Moody's hillarious vocal take on interpretation of his own solo - "I'm in the nood for love" - complete with yodeling at the end), these golden men create the feeling of a genuine jazz festival, with plenty of great and spontanious interplay - check out the last and so often played Hamp's "Boogie Woogie", but also "Flyin' Home" and "Lover"...

If you like this CD, check out the following (but don't be surprised if some of the musicians, particularly Edison, use same phrases on different versions of the same song....):"Live at the Iridium" "Centerpiece -- Live at the Blue Note"

For some magnificent mature Clark Terry see this beautiful duo album "To Duke and Basie"

Five decades later and still swinging, 15 Aug 2004



Lionel Hampton recorded this super CD (and volume two) in Paris during a 1955 European trip and both CDs are unusual in that they feature long tracks, up to twelve minutes on 'A la French' (and fourteen for 'I cover the waterfront' on the second CD) which allow the musicians to develop their improvisations.

The ten musicians with Hampton are French except for Benny Bailey and Nat Adderley from the Hampton orchestra and they all contribute some beautiful playing. One reason I like these two discs is the rhythm section (Sacha Distel is on guitar) which never intrudes but supports the rest of the group.

Hampton's playing throughout is superb and on the ten minute 'Zebu' he plays with just the rhythm section, improvising with Distel and pianist Rene Urtreger for extended choruses. The uptempo 'Voice of the North' and 'Crazy Rhythm' gives everyone a chance to shine, even French horn (was this a jazz first?) player Dave Amram.

I originally bought these tracks on two French Felsted LPs in the late fifties and played them into the ground so I'm particularly pleased that they are now on CD. This is swinging jazz, so good that you don't want it to end!

Lionel Hampton recorded The Quintet in 1954 and its appearance on a separate CD is most welcome, especially if funds do not run to the 5-CD Complete Quartets/Quintets with Oscar Peterson which collects all the vibist's work with Oscar Peterson during that year. Here the two are joined by Ray Brown and Buddy Rich on bass and drums and clarinet virtuoso Buddy De Franco. Rich was not always ideal for Norman Granz's small-group sessions, but he is perfect here, as is the often denigrated De Franco, who constantly impresses both in solo and in his interplay with the leader and Peterson. The ethos of the date is largely extrovert, which is hardly surprising in view of Hampton's legendary exuberance, but there is much subtlety amid the swinging élan--notably on "These Foolish Things", where vibes and clarinet weave separately enchanting melodic variations. Lovely things occur too on "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Je Ne Sais Pas", while if it's uninhibited stomping power you're after, look no further than "Flying Home". Goodness knows how many thousands of times Hampton has played that war-horse over his six-decade career, but this 17-minute reading is as fresh as tomorrow. Indeed, the whole session is a timeless delight that is further enhanced by successful remastering. --Richard Palmer

A true master., 11 Nov 2001
Lionel Hampton is a true master of percussion and despite decades of fierce competition none have been able to surpass his mastery. This box set is a fantastic collection of his lifes works and is a must for all Jazz fans.

Golden men swing hard, 29 May 2008
This CD is a great joy for a swing and a mainstream fan such as myself...

From Al Grey's rumbunctious trombone to Hamp's hot mallets and sensitive ballad playing, from Terry's ebulent blowing (he was still at or near his prime) to "Sweets" Edison's slightly damaged musical economy of expression...
With great rhythm section (featuring good old Milt Hinton on bas, Hank Jones on piano and "the baby of the band" Grady Tate on drums), with more than solid sax work from Buddy Tate and more modern soloist James Moody (he was still in his prime), this CD couldn't have gone wrong.

Granted, some of the stars have seen better days, and that's the only reason why only four stars for a cd that gives me such great listening pleasure. Playing swing and be-bop repertoire (including Moody's hillarious vocal take on interpretation of his own solo - "I'm in the nood for love" - complete with yodeling at the end), these golden men create the feeling of a genuine jazz festival, with plenty of great and spontanious interplay - check out the last and so often played Hamp's "Boogie Woogie", but also "Flyin' Home" and "Lover"...

If you like this CD, check out the following (but don't be surprised if some of the musicians, particularly Edison, use same phrases on different versions of the same song....):"Live at the Iridium" "Centerpiece -- Live at the Blue Note"

For some magnificent mature Clark Terry see this beautiful duo album "To Duke and Basie"

Five decades later and still swinging, 15 Aug 2004



Lionel Hampton recorded this super CD (and volume two) in Paris during a 1955 European trip and both CDs are unusual in that they feature long tracks, up to twelve minutes on 'A la French' (and fourteen for 'I cover the waterfront' on the second CD) which allow the musicians to develop their improvisations.

The ten musicians with Hampton are French except for Benny Bailey and Nat Adderley from the Hampton orchestra and they all contribute some beautiful playing. One reason I like these two discs is the rhythm section (Sacha Distel is on guitar) which never intrudes but supports the rest of the group.

Hampton's playing throughout is superb and on the ten minute 'Zebu' he plays with just the rhythm section, improvising with Distel and pianist Rene Urtreger for extended choruses. The uptempo 'Voice of the North' and 'Crazy Rhythm' gives everyone a chance to shine, even French horn (was this a jazz first?) player Dave Amram.

I originally bought these tracks on two French Felsted LPs in the late fifties and played them into the ground so I'm particularly pleased that they are now on CD. This is swinging jazz, so good that you don't want it to end!


Simply the Best, 04 Jul 2008
This is an outstanding recording. Flying Home lasts for about 17 minutes - this is a total joy, with contributions from some of the most outstanding jazz musicians of all time. When the piece culminates with Hampton himself playing vibraphone, I felt a degree of satisfaction I have experienced on only few occassions. I cannot rate this album highly enough.

A dud, 29 May 2008

It is hard to believe this line-up of brilliant musicians doesn't really swing very hard on this CD but, contrary to other reviewers, I feel it to be the sad truth...

Oscar Peterson is usually capable to ignite even the best swingers to swing harder, Hampton and De Franco have proved their versatility by playing with musicians of different generations, the rhythm section is as strong as can be and still it just doesn't really swing. Starting from "Flying home", the songs just go on and on...

If you can't afford the boxed set, 03 Sep 2006
This is a great CD, which was originally two LP's. The running time is 71:47 and the recordings date from 1954.

When you've got Lionel Hampton, who isn't noted for restraint, Oscar Peterson, who can play more Piano than anyone except Tatum, and Buddy Rich who is the showman Drummer supreme you know you're not in for a ballad selection...

The whole thing is summarized by the opening track. A 17 minute version of Flying Home (Lionel Hamptons signature tune). This is driven along with tremendous swing, and the solos literally fly. The remaining musicians are equally eminent, the relentless Ray Brown on bass, and Buddy DeFranco on Clarinet.

I'm saving for the boxed set anyway!

Recorded live on New Year's Eve in 1957, this session finds vibraphonist Red Norvo in an exuberantly swinging mood. Playing vibes without vibrato to achieve a clear and distinctive sound, Norvo demonstrates tremendous rhythmic energy and invention. Jerry Dodgion contributes inventively boppish solos on alto, while his flute blends with Norvo's vibraphone and Jimmy Wyble's guitar to add to the group's light, transparent textures. A fine rhythm section of journeymen Red Wootten on bass and John Markham on drums keeps the emphasis on concentrated swing in a repertoire that ranges from well-chosen pop tunes to Horace Silver's "Room 608" to Norvo's own classic "Cookin' at the Continental." Reference Recordings has a reputation for audiophile sound, and this very early tape by the label's engineer, Keith Johnson, is remarkably well recorded, capturing the intimacy and immediacy of Norvo's music. --Stuart Broomer

It was Red Norvo who lifted the xylophone out of the novelty class and made it into a respectable jazz instrument, following that achievement with the establishment of the vibraphone as an acceptable voice. This 26-track collection has the first seven sessions produced with Red as leader, done between 1933 and 1936. He plays xylophone and occasionally marimba throughout with small pick-up bands of the kind that it was easy to assemble in New York at the time. These have musicians like Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Bunny Berigan, Teddy Wilson, Chu Berry and Charlie Barnet. Jack Jenney also graces eight of the tunes, the smooth-toned trombonist who went on to make a hit with his solo on Artie Shaw's Stardust. The earliest tracks have an intriguing atmosphere, almost like the then contemporary work of the French Impressionist composers. Tunes like Bix Beiderbecke's "In A Mist" and Norvo's own "Hole In The Wall" and "Dance Of The Octopus" have a charm of their own that hasn't dated with the passing of the years. Red was certainly one of the true originals of jazz and this beautifully re-mastered album is Vol. 1 in a Hep series of three by Norvo. --Steve Voce