Stan Kenton – Kenton In HI-FI ! (Full Album)

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Kenton in Hi-Fi is an album by bandleader and pianist Stan Kenton featuring performances of Kenton’s signature compositions from the 1940s recorded in 1956 and released on the Capitol label. This album was re-released (and presumably re-mixed) as Kenton in Stereo (Wikipedia).

AllMusic Review by Stephen Cook:
After years of big band experimentation, Stan Kenton seemed to settle into a more grounded groove on 1956’s In Hi-Fi. To his credit, Kenton did keep things swinging before, even in the midst of high brow bombast like the string-laden, 39 piece Innovations in Modern Music orchestra and numerous jazz meets Stravinsky projects. This uncanny balance of flow and brains came out of Kenton’s own tempered direction and fine contributions by the likes of arranger Pete Rugolo, trumpeter Shorty Rogers, alto saxophonist Art Pepper, and singers Anita O’Day and June Christy. Thanks to a seamless mix of dazzling charts and liberal doses of Lunceford and Ellington-inspired swing, the marriage certainly works on Kenton in Hi-Fi. Old hits like “Eager Beaver” and “Artistry In Boogie” sparkle in the warm glow of ’50s stereo technology, while fiery renditions of “Lover” and “The Peanut Vendor” show the famous muscle of the Kenton band. With the stellar playing of tenor saxophonist Vido Musso, trumpeter Pete Candoli, and drummer Mel Lewis to look forward to, one can see why this album was not only one of Kenton’s most popular releases, but a critical success as well (http://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000611826).

Track listing:
All compositions by Stan Kenton except where noted.

“Artistry Jumps” – 2:38
“Interlude” (Pete Rugolo) – 3:06
“Intermission Riff” (Ray Wetzel) – 4:15
“Minor Riff” (Rugolo, Kenton) – 3:03
“Collaboration” (Rugolo, Kenton) – 2:40
“Painted Rhythm” – 3:04
“Southern Scandal” – 3:06
“The Peanut Vendor” (Moises Simons) – 4:36
“Eager Beaver” – 3:24
“Concerto to End All Concertos” – 7:04
“Artistry in Boogie” (Rugolo, Kenton) – 2:38
“Lover” (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 2:33
“Unison Riff” (Rugolo) – 3:11

Personnel:
Stan Kenton – piano, conductor
Pete Candoli, Maynard Ferguson, Ed Leddy, Sam Noto, Don Paladino – trumpet (tracks 1 & 3-13)
Milt Bernhart, Bob Fitzpatrick, Carl Fontana, Kent Larsen – trombone
Don Kelly – bass trombone
Skeets Herfurt, Lennie Niehaus – alto saxophone (tracks 1 & 3-13)
Vido Musso, Bill Perkins, Spencer Sinatra – tenor saxophone (tracks 1 & 3-13)
Jack Nimitz – baritone saxophone (tracks 1 & 3-13)
Ralph Blaze – guitar
Don Bagley – bass
Mel Lewis – drums
Frank “Chico” Guerrero – timbales, bongos (tracks 8 & 13)
Stan Kenton (tracks 1 & 6-9), Pete Rugolo (tracks 2, 4, 5 & 10-13), Ray Wetzel (track 3) – arranger

Released: 1956
Recorded: February 11 & 12, 1955
Studio Goldwyn Studios, Hollywood, CA
Label: Capitol W/SW 724
Producer: Lee Gillette