A stellar sextet led by vibraphonist Terry Gibbs delivers a dozen swing tunes recorded in 1978 for the private Jazz A La Carte label, but never before released. Gibbs fuels the all-star session with his contagiously enthusiastic “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” which is still his mantra when leading his current Dream Band.
The colossal sound of the late Bob Cooper’s tenor sears a slow-swinging “Those Eyes, Those Lips, That Nose, That Face, That Girl,” adds depth to “Blues for Brody” and burns through “Smoke ‘Em Up.” Conte Candoli’s trumpet is bold and sassy on “Townhouse 3,” punches up “The Austin Mood” and accents the East-Indian flavor of “Chant of Love.” Gibbs is at his best on “Now’s the Time to Groove,” solidly backed throughout by pianist Lou Levy (on a studio piano that’s a bit out of tune), bassist Bob Magnusson and drummer Jimmie Smith.
Terry Gibbs: Hollywood Swing
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