Jazz Moods

Product Description:

Recording information: 1936 - 1941.

Along with the Duke Ellington orchestra, the Count Basie band was one of the premier swing ensembles of its day. A towering presence during jazz's golden age, Basie was known for his ability to compose arrangements on the spot, leading his orchestra to play with great dynamic contrast, and, most of all, swing like nobody's business.

This JAZZ MOODS: HOT compilation documents the Basie ensemble at its spiciest, during a period when its unique brand of jump swing reigned supreme. There is one stray track from 1964 called "Swing, Brother, Swing," but the rest of this material dates back to the '30s and '40s. Particularly memorable tracks include the fiery "Lester Leaps In" written by the renowned sax man, Lester Young, and the equally raucous "Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie." However, the highest point comes at the end of the disc, with the classics "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and "I Got Rhythm."