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Reception

It is ironic that the Contemporary label came out with five CDs worth of unknown material by the Terry Gibbs Big Band while Polygram has completely neglected its studio sides by the same group. The music on this set, last available as a Trip LP, was the first by Gibbs’ “Dream Band,” a swinging outfit of top studio musicians who were based in L.A. at the time. This album is comprised of two arrangements apiece by Bill Holman, Bob Brookmeyer, Manny Albam, Al Cohn, Med Flory and Marty Paich, which pay tribute to Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Tommy Dorsey. The tunes are mostly overly familiar (including “Stardust,” “Cotton Tail,” “Begin the Beguine” and “Flying Home”) and clock in around three minutes, meaning that the solos are quite concise, but there are some good individual moments from the vibraphonist/leader, trumpeter Conte Candoli, and trombonist Frank Rosolino (Scott Yanow/AllMusic).

Track listing

A1 Opus #1 2:46
A2 Moten Swing 3:00
A3 I’m Gettin’ Sentimental Over You 2:36
A4 Let’s Dance 3:27
A5 Stardust 3:28
A6 Cotton Tail 2:53
B1 Begin The Beguine 2:30
B2 Jumpin’ At The Woodside 2:44
B3 Prelude To A Kiss 3:02
B4 Don’t Be That Way 3:54
B5 Midnight Sun 3:25
B6 Flying Home 2:53

Personnel

Alto Saxophone – Charlie Kennedy, Joe Maini
Baritone Saxophone – Jack Schwartz
Bass – Joe Mondragon (tracks: A3, A4, B3, B4), Max Bennett (tracks: A1, A2, A5 to B2, B5, B6)
Drums – Mel (The Tailor) Lewis
Piano – Pete Jolly
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Holman, Med Flory
Trombone – Bob Enevoldsen, Frank Rosolino, Vern Friley
Trumpet – Al Porcino, Conte Candoli, Phil Gilbert (tracks: A3, A4, B3, B4), Ray Triscari (tracks: A1, A2, A5 to B2, B5, B6), Stu Williamson
Vibraphone, Supervised By, Liner Notes – Terry Gibbs

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Label: Mercury – SR 60112
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1959