Lionel Hampton - Complete Jazztone Recordings (1956) (2-cd Fresh Sound 2007)

This CD compiles for the first time all the tracks recorded by this Lionel Hampton’s All-Star group in 1956. Originally produced by Jazztone Records, most of them appeared on a 12” LP (J-1238); the rest were released on a 10” (J-1040), and on a 7” EP (J-723). You will not only hear Hampton lead this group with his extraordinary dynamism and energy as a leader, and his phenomenal improvisational capacity as an instrumentalist (vibes, piano, marimba), but also shines in his role as a jazz composer of great feeling.

Hampton is surrounded here by some established jazz masters such as tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson, bassist Oscar Pettiford, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, drummer Gus Johnson, and by two then-newcomers to the scene: pianist Oscar Dennard, and trumpeter Ray Copeland. The music is full of rhythmic and blowing excitement thanks to the talents of the jazzmen involved, and comes close to stomping in several places.

Tracklisting:

CD1:
01. Romeo’s Gone Now
02. Over The Rainbow
03. Dark Eyes
04. Line For Lyons
05. Raindeer
06. Summertime
07. Too Much
08. What’s Your Hurry

CD2:
01. When You’re Smiling
02. A Ghost Of A Chance
03. Loch Lomond
04. Look! Four Hands
05. Undecided
06. My Man
07. Deep Purple
08. Take The “A” Train
09. Lionel Choo-Choo

Recorded in New York City, 1956.

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Session A - Quartet - Lionel Hampton All Stars. Lionel Hampton vib, marimba, vib, Oscar Dennard p, Oscar Pettiford b, Gus Johnson d.
The Gordons voc on track Take The ''A" Train.

My Man (04:55)
Too Much (05:18)
Time For Lyons (06:20)
Loch Lomond (06:00)
Look! Four Hands (03:41)
Take The „A" Train (04:18)


Session B - Septet - Lionel Hampton All Stars. Ray Copeland tp, Jimmy Cleveland tb, Lucky Thompson ts, Lionel Hampton vib, marimba, vib, Oscar Dennard p, Oscar Pettiford b, Gus Johnson d.

Lionel's Choo Choo (03:01)
Romeo's Gone Now (06:25)
Dark Eyes (04:56)
Deep Purple (04:23)
A Ghost Of A Chance (06:19)
Over The Rainbow (11:06)
When You're Smiling (06:48)
Summertime (02:39)
Raindeer (07:59)
Undecided (07:02)
What's Your Hurry (03:52)

LP12''- j-1238 "the fabulous Lionel Hampton and his all-stars"

LP10''- j-1040 "besuch auf einem wolkenkratzer" ("visit on a skyscraper'')

More exhaustive information about these sessions here :
http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/archive/index.php/t-11530.html