A very good record, and one that grows on you. Norman Granz, who was the producer responsible, recorded Getz on a number of occasions, and usually treated him as if he was a member of JATP, with a lot of uptempo stuff in which Getz went through the motions, relying on his superb technique. This disc fairly largely avoids that problem and features the two protagonists playing extremely well.
The band features Hamp and Getz in front of a very good West Coast rhythm section of Lou Levy, Leroy Vinnegar and Shelly Manne. On one version of 'Gladys' and on 'Headache' there is also an unnamed trombone. He plays pretty well, without being individual, and could be anyone, from a West Coaster who happened to be around the studio, to a member of Hamp's own band. I don't think it was Willie Ruff, who has been suggested, because he was, as far as I am aware, a french horn player, and this is definitely a trombone.
However, enough of the discographical stuff. What's the music like? Very good. Both Hamp and Getz get to play a wide variety of music from ballads through medium pace swingers to uptempo steamers. Both are absolutely at home on the fast tunes, such as 'Cherokee ' and 'Jumpin' at the Woodside', and masterful on the ballad medley. Hamp in particular shows how well he could work with a modern small group, which was something he didn't get to do all that often. Both men were among the unquestioned masters of their respective instruments, and here both show why.
The rhythm section do all that is required. Lou Levy, a long term associate of Getz, accompanies both horns sympathetically and solos well, Leroy Vinnegar is the tower of strength he always was, and Shelly Manne helps lay down a swinging rhythm and avoids the fussiness that sometimes disfigures his playing.
It's a bit of a hidden gem really. Both leaders have made records that are much better known and this would not be your first purchase for either of them, but it should be pretty high on the list.
