although most of these are lessor known (I'm guessing) to the average fan.
Nonetheless, after listening to it several times before writing this, I have to upgrade it to a "5" from a "4" because of the really cool colorations (which still sound good after all these years)of the instrument blendings on "Freckle Face" and "Orange Sherbet", four trombones,bari and flute on the former and the same with the addition of trumpet on the latter. This was recorded in 1975 when the Basie orchestra started a big comeback by strengthening the band with the addition of drummer Butch Miles, in the school of Buddy Rich, the additions of Frank Szabo on trumpet, Danny turner, alto sax and the return of Charlie Fowlkes on bari. This was also the time the relationship between Basie and Nestico began.
To me the Basie band recordings have always seemed effortless......because it was always so professional that I, at least, sort of took the music for granted. Since I have really listened to the band more carefully the last ten years it is now apparent to me what a thing of beauty and craftsmanship it really was. Listen to the eloquent solo of Bobby Plater on alto on "Soft As Velvet" if there are any doubts. "Midnight Freight" is at such a slow tempo that as the liner notes state, only Basie could make this swing. Plater and one of my favorite trombonists, Al Grey, are the soloists on this one.....also dig the three unison flute on the entry. The driving tenor of Jimmy Forrest, of "Night Train" fame, is also featured on "Front Burner" and "The Wind Machine".
I picked up my original LP album in Palo Alto, CA in 1989 and since it has a few scratches I noted while transcribing it to cd, I decided tonight to buy the newer cd while I could still afford it.
Anybody who enjoys the music of Basie and/or Sammy Nestico will want this one