Billy Maxted

Billy Maxted, a pianist whose arrangements were often influenced by Red Nichols, re-emerged in 1966 after a few years off records with this odd LP. Maxted uses a Dixieland-ish ensemble (a septet with both Connie Jones and Bill Prince on trumpets, trombonist Ricky Nelson, and clarinetist Joe Barafuldi) to perform two originals, a couple standards ("Street of Dreams" and "Lulu's Back in Town") and eight mostly current pop tunes. Some of the material is not worth playing in this setting, and some of the ensembles are too tightly arranged, but every once in awhile, when the players are allowed to cut loose (most notably on "Mame" and "Love"), the music catches fire. Both of the trumpeters sound quite good when they jam together. However, much of the set is dated, and this LP (which is not likely to ever be reissued) is only worth picking up if found at a budget price. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide