Milt Jackson - Jazz 'Round Midnight (1997)

Verve's "'Round Midnight" CD reissue series is comprised of samplers featuring various artists playing ballads at moderate tempoes. Vibraphonist Milt Jackson is heard on this 16-song collection in a variety of settings originally put out on five LPs: Much In Common, Ray Brown-Milt Jackson, And the Hip String Quartet, In a New Setting and Born Free. The former two sets have been reissued on CD, but the latter three have not reappeared yet. Jackson is featured with a big band that he co-led with bassist Ray Brown and in combos that include such fine players as pianists Hank Jones, Cedar Walton and McCoy Tyner, guitarist Kenny Burrell and tenorman Jimmy Heath. The set overall is not as essential as the complete sessions, but gives a nice overview of the vibraphonist's lyrical talents.