Count Basie

As a big-band leader, Count Basie had no peer except Duke Ellington. Similarly, Basie was fond of pared down small ensembles, and this two-CD 44-track compilation delivers on the premise that less can be more in terms of swing and depth. There's a whole lot of music in the two decades this collection represents, a raft of incredible jazz icon soloists, and plenty of variety to boot. You get a boatload of standards, a whopping 15 compositions by Basie, and more from the arrangers who worked with him. It's a soup-to-nuts overview from 1936 to 1956, ranging from the famous tunes like "Swingin' the Blues" and "One O'Clock Jump," to rare items like "Mortgage Stomp" and "Rat Race," including some combos with Basie on the organ. In addition, you get an entertaining and whimsical cartoonish cover art drawing of Basie with a quartet, worth the price of the item alone. Bravo to Nocturne for making this one available. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide