March 1997

Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross
The Hottest New Group in Jazz
Columbia/Legacy

By David Zych

This two-CD package dates back more than 30 years, but it has lost little of its hipness during that time. If anything, this engaging package of music from three previous LPs by the group should win new fans to the art of vocalese, an artform that this group did much to hone and perfect. The Hottest Group in Jazz, Flying High with LH&R, and Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross Sing Ellington, are packaged together, offering such classics as "Cloudburst," "A Night in Tunisia," "Caravan," "Centerpiece," "Mr. PC," and dozens more that made Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, and the awesome Annie Ross a legend.