Woody Herman: The Complete Capitol Recordings (Mosaic, 2006) [recorded between 1945 and 1956]

Woody Herman’s Second and Third Herds—his attempts to adapt big bands to the modern era—were both commercial failures. But their sides for Capitol Records show that they were creative pinnacles, particularly because of Herman’s shrewd talent scouting. The Second Herd was the “Four Brothers” band, with Serge Chaloff, Stan Getz, Jimmy Giuffre, and Zoot Sims. The Third included Al Cohn, Urbie Green, Milt Jackson, and Vince Guaraldi. Both bands maintain a progressive edge but swing like hell. MICHAEL J. WEST

Learn more about The Complete Capitol Recordings on Amazon.