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AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow:
Best known as an arranger for singers and for commercial sessions, Buddy Bregman led one full-fledged jazz instrumental date, Swinging Kicks. Because many of the selections are brief (seven are under two minutes) and due to the intriguing titles, this seems a bit like a soundtrack to a film that was never made. However, few of the tracks seem truncated and there are some excellent solos along the way, particularly from Ben Webster, Conte Candoli, Herb Geller, Bud Shank, and Paul Smith. The personnel changes from cut to cut, ranging from a 19-piece big band with screaming trumpet playing from Maynard Ferguson and Conrad Gozzo to various combos, a Ben Webster/André Previn duet on “Kicks Is in Love,” and a rapid workout for Paul Smith on “Go Kicks.” Bregman uses some of the top West Coast jazz players and various musicians who were on Verve at the time, with Stan Getz making a guest appearance on “Honey Chile.” Recommended.

Track listing:

1 Wild Party 3:22
2 Melody Room 1:24
3 Bada Blues 2:56
4 Kicks Swings 2:11
5 Melody Lane 1:51
6 Lost Keys 1:51
7 Go Kicks 1:25
8 Gage Flips 2:13
9 Derek’s Blues 2:49
10 Mulliganville 1:35
11 Terror Ride 2:15
12 The Flight 3:46
13 Tom’s Idea 2:02
14 Melodyville 1:56
15 Honey Chile 2:33
16 End Of Party 1:18
17 Kicks Is In Love 3:18

Personnel:

Bud Shank, Herb Geller – alto saxophone
Buddy Bregman – arranged by, conductor
Jimmy Giuffre – baritone saxophone
Joe Mondragon – bass
Alvin Stoller, Stan Levey (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 15) – drums
Al Hendrickson – guitar
André Previn (tracks: 17), Paul Smith (5) – piano
Ben Webster (tracks: 17), Bob Cooper, Georgie Auld, Stan Getz (tracks: 15) – tenor saxophone
Frank Rosolino, George Roberts, Lloyd Ulyate, Milt Bernhart – trombone
Conrad Gozzo, Conte Candoli (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 10, 14, 15), Maynard Ferguson, Pete Candoli, Ray Linn – trumpet

Original recording produced by Norman Granz at Capitol Studios, Hollywood
Tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 15 on December 18, 1956
Tracks 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11 to 13, 16, 17 on December 20, 1956

Record Company: PolyGram Records, Inc.