Kenny Clarke Francy Boland Big Band, The: All Smiles

Here's a blast from the past courtesy of MPS Records. It's The Kenny Clarke Francy Boland Big Band and their 1968 album All Smiles now remastered for all fans of big band jazz to savour and enjoy. The band is massive with no less than seventeen members and includes :

Kenny Clarke (drums, co-leader)
Francy Boland (piano, co-leader)
Benny Bailey (trumpet)
Idrees Sulieman (trumpet)
Jimmy Deuchar (trumpet)
Sonny Grey (trumpet)
Åke Persson (trombone)
Nat Peck (trombone)
Erik Van Lier (trombone)
Derek Humble (alto sax)
Johnny Griffin (tenor sax)
Ronnie Scott (tenor sax)
Tony Coe (tenor sax)
Sahib Shihab (baritone sax)
Jimmy Woode (bass)
Kenny Clare (drums)
Dave Pike (vibes)

That is quite the list and the music is a reflection of some great players. First and foremost are the horn and reed sections. This is fabulous stuff with rich and varied horn work throughout. Just listen to the trumpet and flugelhorn solos on Cole Porter's "Get Out Of Town" and Jimmy Dorsey's "I'm Glad There Is You" respectively. The sax also shines, especially on the romantic ballad "Gloria" and the upbeat swing of "Sweet And Lovely". The steady rhythm section of Clarke, Clare and Woode keep it all together and are as dependable as the sun rising in the morning. The energetic "High School Cadets" ends the set with a real toe tapper. Great fun had by all!

Superb melodies, musicianship and recording quality make All Smiles an essential addition to any jazz collection. Highly recommended!

Track Listing:
1. Let's Face The Music And Dance (3:23)
2. I'm All Smiles (3:25)
3. You Stepped Out Of A Dream (3:03)
4. I'm Glad There Is You (3:29)
5. Get Out Of Town (4:47)
6. By Strauss (3:35)
7. When Your Lover Has Gone (4:16)
8. Gloria (4:21)
9. Sweet And Lovely (3:36)
10. High School Cadets (2:05)

Added: November 22nd 2017
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1485
Language: english

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