Shelly Manne Boss Sounds!

Personnel: Shelly Manne (drums); Frank Strozier (alto saxophone); Conte Candoli (trumpet, flugelhorn); Russ Freeman (piano); Monty Budwig (bass).

Producer: Nesuhi Ertegun.

Reissue producers: Donald Elfman, Naomi Yoshii.

Recorded live at Shelly's Manne-Hole, Hollywood, California on June 20, 1966. Originally released on Atlantic (1469). Includes liner notes by Leonard Feather.

Digitally remastered by Gene Paul (DB Plus, New York, New York).

Although drummer Shelly Manne was closely associated with the Contemporary label for many years, he also recorded for other companies after Contemporary slowed down operations. This particular Koch CD reissues a set that was cut for Atlantic. The 1966 version of Shelly Manne's Men (altoist Frank Strozier, trumpeter Conte Candoli, pianist Russ Freeman, and bassist Monty Budwig) played in a similar style to his 1950s groups. Only Strozier hints (and only slightly in spots) at the avant-garde explorations then going on elsewhere. The quintet performs three group originals, an obscurity, "The Breeze and I," and "Margie" (which was arranged by Jimmy Rowles). Fine hard bop music. ~ Scott Yanow