Various Artists
Prestige, 2009, CD
Instrument: Instrumental
Issue: 15.2
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 5
Sound: 3
Score: 
O’s Notes: Jazz fans get excited in anticipation of a collection from one of the legendary jazz labels. This 2-Disc compilation from Prestige is like a Who’s Who is jazz with Mikes, Sonny, Powell, MJQ, Trane, Gordon, Kirk, Dolphy, Ammons, Monk and many others. Producer Nick Phillips took a risky position stating these are the ‘best’ is ten catalog of thousands but he reduced the complexity by focusing on instrumentals, mostly straight-ahead bop on Disc 1 and cool, cooking jazz on disc 2. Even the most discriminating critic is sure to find many enjoyable tunes here. For us it was “Airgin”, “Blue Monk”, “Tenor Madness”, “Hey Now”, “Very Saxy”, “”Hutton’ The Jug” and “Soul Shoutin'”. And when we weren’t encapsulated by the music we were engrossed in the excellent liner notes that provide a historical perspective and some great photos.
Publicist: D. L. Media
