West coast zounds to die for
Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 08/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You simply would run immediatly at your music store or push the button "buy it now" if you only could know the quality of the music that this gem comprehend. This is truly an essential jazz record. I mean that the quality of the arrangements, of the tunes, of the solos is superlative. The tunes contained in Zounds were recorded in 1954 and 1956 as the results of the meetings of two different octets leaded by Lennie Niehaus of Kenton's fame. They are five Niehaus originals, five standards, and two tunes one by Hampton Hawes and the other one penned by Miles. The music orchestrated here is not in the abstract vogue sometimes the west coast guys followed. Neither this Jazz is cool ... cold or whatever. It is terrific swingin small orchestra Jazz of the highest caliber, with the right aged patina, with the right mojo!! This is Jazz, not third stream, not experimental or abstract music. Here what you'll find are stellar arrangements that does swing! You can buy this record with your eyes closed, you will not find a single bore moment inside this album. Solos are equally superlative. Solo guys are Rosolino, Niehaus, Levy, Pepper Adams, Bill Perkins, Bob Gordon and so on, the creme of the West Coast movement (Shelly Manne played the drums on 8 tracks!!!!). Don't waste time searching for good and equally histotrical significant jazz recordings ... you have found one of the overall best. Your quest is over. For now. After this, try Duane Tatro's Jazz for moderns, it's a step forward in terms of adventureness and abstract approach, but equally superlative. Do yourself a favour let's begin your west coast collection with the right foot. Buy this one, and Tatro's album together (maybe West Coast Jazz in Hi Fi by Kamuca too). What a west coast deal !!"
Zounds Zuper!
Don O. | Canada | 01/10/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This volume, and subsequent ones now available, is a swinging, bebop recording that showcases Lennie Niehaus's remarkable talents as arranger and soloist. Using well-written charts, the Niehaus ensemble plays tight harmonies yet have free rein to improvise on the choruses.
Five of the album tracks are Niehaus originals: "Figure 8", "Patti-Cake", "Night Life", "Blues for Susie", and "Seaside."
On track nos. 1, 5, and 8, there is no piano. Instead, a French horn and a tuba complete the octet.
Make no mistake about this group. They swing and they swing hard."
Great CD
Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 09/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lennie Niehaus recorded 5 LPs for Contemporary Records between 1954 and 1956 and this is Volume 2. It contains two different octet units, both featuring the top West Coast players of the day. Niehaus, a Bird-influenced alto sax player who could also play suavely sophisticated, swings like mad on most of the material here. Of the 12 tunes only one is a ballad; the rest are all taken at a pretty good clip. FIGURE 8, THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT, HAVE YOU MET MISS JONES, AND SEASIDE are all highlights of the set. The other tunes are not far behind; in fact, there's not a disappointing turn on the entire CD. Marvelous swinging West Coast sounds. Definitely worth getting."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1